PASTON LE TTERS

O R IGINAL LE T TE R S ,

W R IT T E N DU R IN G T HE R EI GN S OF

HE NRY VI .
,
E DWARD IV .
,
AND R ICHARD III .

VAR I O US P E RS O N S O F R A N K O R C O NSE QUE N C E

C ONT A INING um
CU RI OU S AN E C D OTES RE LA TIVE T O T HA T TURBU LEN T AND BL OO DY
,
’

B UT HIT HE R TO DAR K PE R I OD O F O UR H I S TO R Y ;
,

AN D E L U C IDA TD IG N OT ONL Y
P UB LI C MA TTE RS O F S TA TE . BU T LIK E WI S E THE P R IVA TE MA N N ERS O F T HE A GE .

N O T ES HIS T O RIC A L A N D E X P L AN AT O R Y ;

AND A UTHE NTI CATE D BY EN G RA VIN GS O F A UT O GRA P HS A ND SE ALS .

BY S IR J O HN T E N N , MA . .
, RAS

A N E W E DI TI O N,
IN WHIC H T HE L E S S I MP O R T A NT L E TT E R S AR E A BR I DG E D ; T HE WH OL E S E R I ES IS DI G E S T ED IN
C H R ONOLO G I C AL O RDE R, A ND ADDITI O N S MADE T O T HE NO T E S O F T HE O R I G INAL EDIT O R
BY A R A M S A Y
. .

IN T W O V O LUM E &

VO L IL
'

L O N DO N
C HA R L E S K N I G HT 8: C C .
, L U DG A T E ST REET .

MDC C C XL I .
 LO N DO N
Pr i nted b y WIL L IA M C n ow z s a n d S ON S
S t am
,

for d S treet.
 CO NT ENT S .

E li zab e thPoyn in gs to S ir John Past on

S ir John P as to n to John P as ton
Margaret Paston t o S ir John Paston
John P aston to S ir John Paston
Willi a m W orcester t o M arga ret Past on
John S tran ge t o S ir John Pa ston
_ _

S ir John Pas ton t o Margaret Paston

M argare t Pas ton to John P as ton th e yo un ger
H ugh a t Fen n e t o S ir John P aston
John Paston the youn ger t o M a rgare t Pasto n
,

M arga ret P aston to S ir John P aston

T h om as Ho wy s t o A r chbishop of C an terbury
S ir John P aston to John P as t on , E sq a t C a i ster
.

S ir John P as ton to John P as ton

Willia m P aston to the b ailifi of M awteb y
'

Willia m E b esh amt o S ir John P a ston

M arga ret P aston to S ir John P as ton
John P a ston t o S ir John P a ston
L ord S cale s to on e of the D uke o f N orfolk 8 coun sel
L ord S c ales t o on e of the D uke of N or folk 8 couns el
S ir John P aston t o John P as ton
John P aston to S ir John P ast on
John P a ston t o S ir John P aston
John P as t on to S ir John P as ton
27 3 . Richa rd C alle t o Ma rgery P a ston
Jame s Hawte to S ir John P aston
27 5 . John Aubry t o S ir H en ry S pelm an
27 6 . S ir John P aston to M arg a1 et P ast on a n d John P a sto n
277 . Marga re t P a ston to S i r John P as to n
27 8 . M arga re t P ast on to S ir Joh n P a ston
27 9 . S ir John Pas ton to M aster W ritti l l
28 0 . S ir John Pas to n to Mas ter W ritt ill
28 1 . M a rga ret P aston to S ir John Paston
 CO N T E N T S .

Letter
282 . S ir John Pasto n t o Marg a ret Past on
283 . S ir John Pas t on to John Pas ton
28 4 M argaret Pas to n t o S ir John Pas t on
A n onym
.

285 . ous to S ir John H even i n gha m an d o thers

286 . D ukeo f N orfolk s en try in to C a is ter
’

287 . John Paston t o S ir John Past on

288 . John Pas t on to S ir John Pas ton
2 89 . John Paston t o S ir John P ast on
29 0 . John Past on to S ir John Paston
29 1 . Margare t Paston to John Past on
292 . E arl o f O x for d t o S ir John Past on
293 . S ir John Pas t on t o John Paston
294 . Archbishop o f York t o S ir John Paston
2 95 . For T ruth t o John Past on
296 . John Paston to S ir John Pas ton or T hom as S t omps
,

297 . John Pas ton t o S ir John P aston , or T hom as S tomps

298 . Letters o f K i n g E d war d IV .

29 9 . John Past on t o S ir John Pasto n

S ir John Pas ton t o John P as ton
301 . K in g E dwa rd I V t o Willia m S wan
.

30 2 . John P aston t o M argare t P ast on

3 03 . R L t o John P aston
. .

3 04 . John Past on to M a rgaret Past on

D uke o f S uffolk to the Ba ilifis o f E ye
‘

3 05 .

3 06 . S ir John Pas t on to John Paston ,

3 07 . Lati n verse s of the S en e sch al o f the E arl o f O x for d

308 . E a rl o f O x for d t o T hom as Vere
3 09 . E arl o f O x for d t o H e nry S pilm an an d others
3 10 . Ja m es Gre sh a m t o S ir John P ast on
311 . S ir John Pas ton t o M argaret Pas ton
3 12 . E a rl o f O x for d t o h is La d y
-

3 13 . John Paston to M argare t P as ton

314 . John Paston t o Marg are t Pas t on
315 . S ir John P ast on to M a rgare t Past on
3 16 . Sir John Pas t o n to Joh n Pas ton
317 . M a rgare t P as ton t o John P a st on
318 . S ir John Pas to n to M a rgare t P as ton
3 19 . S ir John P as to n t o John P a st on
3 20 . John P as ton t o S ir Joh n P a ston
3 21 John P as ton to S ir John P as ton
’

3 22 . Ja mes Arbl a ster t o John C a ren ton

3 23 . John P ast on t o S ir J ohn P as ton
3 24 . John Pas ton to S ir John P as to n
 CO N T E N T S .

L ett er
3 25 . S ir John Pas ton t o John Pas to n
326 . S ir John Pas ton t o John Pas ton
3 27 . S ir J ohn Pas ton to Margaret Past on , & c.

3 28 . John P asto n to S ir John Paston

3 29 . J ohn Pas to n t o S ir J ohn Pas ton
330 . Petition of John Paston , jun to th e D uke of N orfolk
33 1 . S ir John Pasto n t o John Pas to n
332 . John Pasto n t o S ir John Paston
33 3 . S ir John Pas t on t o John Pasto n
33 4 . S ir John Pas ton to John Pas to n
335 . S ir John Pas t on to John Pas t on
3 36 . S ir John P aston t o Joh n Pasto n
33 7 . S ir John Pas ton to John P asto n
338 . S ir John Past on t o John P asto n
339 . S ir John Past on to E dm un d P as ton
3 40 . L ord Has tin gs t o S ir J ohn Pas ton
34 1 . S ir J ohn Pas to n to J oh n P as ton
3 42 . S ir J ohn Pas t on t o J o h n P aston
343 . S ir John Paston t o M rs M a rga re t P asto n
.

34 4 . Will ia m P as t on t o S ir John Pasto n

3 45 . John P as ton t o S ir John Past on
346 . S ir John P aston t o M a rgare t P aston
347 . S ir John Past on t o M a rgaret P as ton
34 8 . S ir John Pas ton to John P as ton
349 . S ir John Pas ton to John Paston
35 0 . S ir John P aston to John P as ton , or Margaret Pas to n
35 1 . M argare t Pas to n to John P aston
35 2 . Margaret Paston to S ir Joh n P aston
35 3 . S ir John Pas ton t o John P a sto n & c
, .

35 4 . S ir John P as to n t o M ar garet P as to n
355 . M argare t Pas ton to John P as to n
35 6 . Richa rd S outhwell t o John P aston
3 57 . Ma rgaret P as ton t o S ir John P asto n
35 8 . S ir John P aston to E dm un d Pasto n
35 9 . Ma rgaret Pas ton t o S ir John Pas to n
3 60 . S ir John Pas to n to Ma rga re t Pa st o n
36 1 . John Pas ton to S ir John P as to n
3 62 . J ohn Paston to S ir John P aston
3 63 . S ir John Paston to John or M arga ret P a ston
36 4 . John P asto n to S ir John P as to n
3 65 . S ir John P as to n to John P as ton
366 . John P aston to L ord Ha sti n gs
3 67 . S ir John P aston t o h is B rother or Mother
V1
CO N T E N T S .

L etter
36 8 . Joh n Pas ton to h is M o ther
3 69 . S ir John Past o n t o M arg are t or John Pa s to n

37 0 . John Pas ton to h is M o ther

37 1 . John Pas to n to S ir John Paston
37 2 . S ir John Pas t on to h is M other or Bro ther
373 . S ir John Pas ton to John Past on
374 . M argare t Pas t on to her S tewa rd
3 75 . D ame E li z a be th B rew s to Joh n Pas to n
3 76 . D ame E li z a be th B rew s t o John P as to n
37 7 . S ir John Pas t on t o John Past on
37 8 . D a me E li za be th B rews t o John Pas ton
379 . Margery Brews to John Pas ton
3 80 . M argery Brew s t o John Paston
381 . T hom as K el a t o John Paston
3 82 . John Pas t on t o M argaret P as t on
3 83 . S ir T homas Brew s to S ir John Pas t on
3 84 . S ir John Pas ton t o John P as ton
3 85 . John P as to n t o S ir John Paston
3 86 A de term in a tio n o f S ir T hom as Brews
John P ym
.

3 87 .
p e to S ir John Past on
3 88 Not es to uchi n g the m arria ge of John Pas to n
ym
.

3 89 . J ot p e to S ir John P as ton
3 90 S ir John P as t on t o John P as to n
John P ym
.

391 .
pe t o S ir John Pas ton
3 92 . S ir John P as to n t o M a rgare t P as to n
S ir John Pas ton t o John Past o n
3 94 . M a rg a re t P as to n to D ame E li za beth Brews
3 95 . L ord Has ti n gs t o John Pas t on
3 96 . S ir John P as to n t o John Pas t on
3 97 . John Paston t o h is M other
3 98 . S ir Joh n P as ton t o his M other
3 99 . Marga ret P as ton t o S ir John P aston
4 00 . E dm un d Bed y n gfel d t o S ir John P as ton
4 01 . Willi am P e a cock to S ir John Paston
4 02 . M argery P as to n to John P as to n
4 03 . John P as ton t o S ir John P as to n
4 04 . John P as t o n to h is M other
4 05 . W illia m Pas t on to John P ast on
4 06 . Co n stan ce R en n yforth to S ir John P as ton
4 07 . S ir John P a ston t o Marga re t P as to n
40 8 . W a lter P ast on t o M arga ret P asto n
4 09 . J Wh etl ey to S ir John P as t on
.

410 . Ma rgare t P ast on t o S ir John Pas ton

 CO N T E N TS .
vii

S ir John Pas to n to John Pas t on

Willi am Pas ton t o John P as ton
Willia m d e P yken h amto Ma rgery Pas t on
E dmun d A l yard to M argaret Past on
Wal ter P aston to S ir John Past on
Wa lter P asto n t o John P aston
S upposed t o ha v e been wri tt e n by John Pa ston
S ir John P as t on to M ar garet P as ton
E xpen ses of a m an or co ur t held a t Cre ssi n gh a m
-

John P ast on to S ir John Paston

Willia m L om n or to John P ast on

John P as t on to M a rgare t Pas ton

John P aston t o M arga re t P aston
John P aston t o some pers on unkno wn
E dmun d Paston to M argare t P as ton
Un cle Willi a m Pas ton t o John Ky n g
E dmun d P as t o n t o h is bro ther Willi a m
T hom as C ry n e t o John Pas t on
M a rgery P aston t o her husban d John P aston
,

M argery P as t on to her h usb an d

John P a ston t o M arga re t Pas t on
L or d Cromwell t o John P as t on
P ri n ce ss E li za beth t o John Pa sto n
John P as ton to M i stress A n ne
43 5 . I n ven t ory o f books of John P as t on
43 6 . Verses wri tt en in th e reign o f H en ry VI or E dw ard
.

437 . D uke of Norfolk t o John P as t on

'

43 8 . D uke of S uffolk t o T hom as Jeflreys

43 9 . Cop y O f a L ett er of K i n g Rich ard III
.

440 . D uke of S uffolk to John Pas ton

44 1 M a rgery P as to n to Joh n Pas ton
4 42 . E li z abe th Brown e t o John P ast on
443 . D uk e of Nor folk to John P aston
Pe d igree of the family of Pas ton
 P A S T O N L E TT E R S
‘ '

E DWA R D 1 V — 1 4 60 . TO 1 483 .

LE T T E R v ol iv p
. . .

I h a v e given th is letter to sh ow th e grea t desire which the rela ti on s a n d oth er c on n e xion s o f a deceas e d m an
o f pro p erty a lw a ys e xp res ed to get p o ss es s i on o f h i s e s ta tes i n prej udice t o t h e m i n or a n d wid o w a n d o f
o

s , ,

th e steps th ey to o k to O bta i n i t T hi s letter like wise m ak es us acqua in ted wi th th e process th e la dy wi sh ed

.

t o p ursue th ro ugh th e m ea n s o f S ir Jo h n P as to n to re ga i n h er p r o p erty

, ,
E l i z ab e th P o yn rn gs th e wr iter
. ,

o f thi s l etter an d th e d a ughter o f J o h n P as ton m a rr i e d Ro b ert P o y n i n g s a y o un g er s on o f R o b ert L or d

, , ,

P o yn in s b wh o m sh e h a d h er so n E dw ard h ere m e n ti on ed
, He was L ord Deputy o f I rela n d an d
.
,

d uri n g is a mi n ist ra ti o n i n 1 0 H VI I th ose sta t utes ca ll e d P oyn i n gs L a ws w ere a ssed by which

’
. .
,
p ,

t h e p ow er o f th e I ri sh p a rli am en t wa s re stra i n ed a n d th e i r A ct s s ubj ected to th e rev i sa l o f th e P rivy

,

Co un cil o f E n gla n d He di ed o f a pestile ntial fe v er in 1 5 22 1 4 H V l Il a ged a bo ut s ixty two y ea rs

.
,
. .
,
-
.

T hese wi th oth er Acts en a ct i n g th e d e p en den cy o f I rel a n d o n thi s kin gd o m w ere rep ea l ed in 1 7 8 5 25

, , ,

G eo I II [ W e n ee d h ardly p o in t o ut Fen n s m agi cal d ed ucti on o f alwa ys dra wn from thi s s i n gl e l etter
’ ”
. . .

W e b eli eve th ere is n o w a n t o f ala cri ty sh ow n ev en n ow by th e rel a ti on s an d co n n exron s of a dec ea sed

man o f property i n ta kin g adv an ta ge o f a n y p o in t o f l aw in thei r fa vo ur ] .

T o the ww shipf ul S ir J ohn P a ston K n ig ht, be this d elivered in ha st e .

W O R S H IP F U L an d w ith a ll mi n e hea r t en tirel y cord in gl y occupy for S ir E dward Po y n in g s ’

well beloved n ephew , I recomme n d me to min e sa id h us ban d s brother ; a n d s o, sin ce

'

'

y o u, d e siri n g to he a r of yo ur prosperi ty an d m y sa id husb an d s depa rti n g , I a ssign ed th a t

wel fa re, which I pra y Almighty God m a in the sa id S ir E dwar d for certa i n year s sho uld
ta in an d i n cre as e t o his pleas ure a n d y our h a v e an d t ak e the reven ues of th e an ors o f m
m
i

W e stwood, E astwell , L on el an d , Horse on d en ,

'

he ar t s de sire, th an ki n g God of y o ur a men di n g

'

a n d he a lth F urthermore certi fy i n g y o u tha t

. T otirrgd on , E ccle s, S ta n don a n d C o b esd en , m
S ir Robert E yn es l h a th don e gre a t h urt i n parcel o f the sa id li v elihood , which a re clea rly
the li v elihood which pert a in ed to my h usb an d y e arly worth 7 61 1 3s 4d , to the i n ten t th a t . . .

a n d me in the shire o f K en t wherei n Willi a m the sa id S ir E dward should p a y mi n e

,

K een e a n d other person s a re e n feo ffed , a n d h usb an d s debts, for he wo uld n ot suffer
’

grea tl y tro ubleth it , a n d recei v eth the i ssues me t ot he in rest wi tho ut th a t he might h a v e
a n d profit s O f gre a t p a rt o f them a n d a s of a r ule in the livelihood ; a n d a fter the s a id
,

m y said husb an d s li v el ihoo d as well in the a ssign me n t m a de, the sa id Ro bert P y n e s,

'

sa me shire as in other Shires con trary to truth , an d witho ut c ause o f right,

.

Be side min e j oi n ture my said h usban d , i n terr upted m e a n d the sa id S ir E dw ard , as

whe n he depa rted tow ards the field Of S t well of an d in the sa id m an ors as o f other “

'

'
Alban s, m a de an d orda i n ed h is w ill th a t I m an ors un derwritten , where upo n the sam e
sho uld h a ve the r ule of a ll h is li v elihood
'

, S ir E dw a rd sued un to the ki n g s high n e ss,

a n d o f E dw a rd h is son a n d mi n e a n d to t a ke a n d h a d t he ki n g s ho n o ura bl e l etters un der
'

.
,

the issues an d profits o f the sa id livelihood to h is sign e t directed to the sa id S ir Rober t

“

t he fi n d i n g o f his an d mi n e sa id s on , to p a y P y n es, the t e n our whereof I se n d un to y o u

h is de bts, a n d to keep the righ t a n d title of herei n en clo sed ; an d a s for residue o f the
the sa me livelihood, which I might n ot a c
‘

livelihood o f mi n e said h usb an d s a n d min e

within the sam e shire of K en t, wherei n the
Sa id Willia m Kee n e an d other are en feofled ,
'

1 T hi s was a k n igh tly fa mily

o f g rea t w orth a n d
w orship a n d a bra n ch of i t beca m e Barons D acre
,
th
,
a t is to say , th e m an or s of T yrl in gh a ,
m
o f G i llesl an d .
l Volverton , H alton , N ewin gtorr, B artr am,
-

VO L. II . B
2 P A S T O N LE T T E R S .

R okesl ey N orth cra y, w ith the eppur

an d A sslie, an d C h el sfiel d , with the a pp urt e n an c e s
’
ten an c es, I o f t h em by m i n e sa id h us ba n d s
, in t he sa id shire of K en t, whereo f my h usba n d
will sho uld h a ve re sidue a n d take the i ssue s
, , a t h is dep ar ture was sei sed , an d my son s i the n
1
an d profi ts o f them , co n tra ry t o righ t an d ( )
s traw , un t o the t ime th a t the E a rl of K e n t,

c on scien ce ta kin g a wa y m y righ t, a n d bre ak w itho u t a n y i n qu isition or t itle o f righ t for

’ ’
i n g m y sa id h usban d s will the sa id Rober t
P y n e s h a th do n e gre a t w as t e a n d h ur t there
a n d lo n g t ime h a th ta ken up the reve n u e s
a n d profi ts of the sam e where thorou gh I
h a v e n ot my right, an d t he sa id will m
,
, the kin g, by colo ur of t he ki n g s letter s
, pat e n t en t ered i n to them a n d him thereof
, ,
“
p u t o u t a n d n o w my L ord o f E ssex
, occ u
pieth them in like m an n er an d form if an y

ay remedy therei n will be h a d I pray y ou

n ot be per formed . a t tempt it ;

Where fore I hea rtily pr a y you th a t ye will Al s o fur thermore I hear tily pr ay you tha t
i f an y gen era l p a rdon be gran ted t h a t I m
,
’
l a bour un t o the ki n g s highn ess th a t it like th ay ,

him (to) a ddre ss h is ho n o ura ble le tters t o be h a ve on e for J oh n D an e my ser van t, whom ,

direc t ed to the sa id Rober t P yn es, d isch a rgin g the sa id Rober t Fyn es of grea t m al i c e ha th
him utt erly of the m en uran ce occupa tio n , , i n di ct ed of felon y an d th a t ye secretly l a bou r
,

a n d receip t of the reve n ues of the sa id m a n or s t his a n d sen d m e a n a n swer in writi n g in as

o f T yrl in gh ama n d other goodly h aste as ye m a y ; as s oon as i t m
,

a ccordi n g to the ,
ay

t en o ur of the le tters l a bo ured b y S ir E d wa rd , pleas e y ou t o se n d me par c els of costs a n d

" ’
for the m an ors a ssign ed to him from the ki n g s expen se s y e bea r a n d pa y for the sa id ca us e s ,

h igh n e ss direc ted to the same Rober t Fy nes I will tr ul y con ten t y ou i t of the same an d
or stra iter i f i t m
,

m
,

a y be a n d th a t I an d mi n e over tha t rew ard y ou to your ple asure ; b y

ay pe a ce ably re e nj oy the m a n d if
-

a ssign s -
the gra ce of J esu who h a ve you in h is ble ssed
,

a n y perso n wo uld a tt empt t o do the con tra ry ,

keepi n g Wri tten in S o uthw a rk, the 1 5 th
.

’
tha t a comm an dmen t, if i t ple ase th e k in g s d ay of D e c ember ,

high ne ss by him might be give n t o my L ord

, B y yo ur a un t ,

Ch an cellor to se al wri ti n gs sufficie n t with E LI Z A BE T H P OYN I N G S .

h is gre a t sea l in a idin g an d assi st i n g me an d

S outlrwa rk 1 5 th Dece mb er
mi n e as s igns in the sa me ,

b etw ee n 1 4 65 a n d 1 4 7 1
,

A n d as for the m an ors O f E asth all Fa ulkh a m

.
.

, , 5 and 1 1 E I V . .

LET TE R COL —(X X vol i p

. . . .

T hi s l etter th o ugh wi th out an y n a m e wa s w ritten by S ir J oh n P as to n to h is broth er J oh n P aston an d th e

, , ,

m en ti on o f o il for s a lla ds sh ows us that at thi s tim e v e geta ble s fo r th e ta bl e w ere still cultivate d h ere ; fo r
th e co mm on O pin i on h as b een th at m o st o f o ur frui ts an d ga rden pro duction s were so en ti rely n eglect e d d ur in g
t h e se c ivil w ar s a s to h av e b een a lm ost t ota lly d estro ye d
, [ A n d o il was use d i n dressin g sa lla ds a s
.

n o w. ]
To M a ster John P a ston , or to m
ymi t s ress his mh ot er, be this letter delivered in ha ste .

BR O T H E R I commen d me t o you (then f o llows sh all be good a t the re c eiv i n g, if i t be n ot

mki g
,

or de
r

f or a n out a n a ccoun t, a nd re mi sh an dled n or mi sc arried

m
an .

c eiv in
g &
soc
) e ren ts, . Item a s for tidin gs, th e E arl o f North um
.

B y J ud d y I sen t y ou a l e tter b y Corb y berl a n d 8 is home i n t o the n or th a n d m y ,

withi n fo ur d a y s be fore thi s ; an d therewith

two po ts of oil for sall a ds which oil was ,
2 Hen i s co un t Bo urch ier, & c un cl e to K i n g
good as migh t be when I delivered i t, a n d E dw dI
arK cre ted rl
E, w a s a E a o f E ss i n 1 46 1 ex he
wa s cceede d
su He r
b y h is son n y in 1 483 .

Grey L or d Grey o f R uthi n an d Ba ron

E dm un d , ,
3 J oh ev l e
n N c e e d rl
i was r a t Ea of N u orth mber
H asti n gs was cre ate d E arl o f Ken t in 1 4 65 h e di e d
,
lan d re ig e d thi ti le
i n 1 4 6 3 , b ut s n s t in 1 4 69 to th e
in 1 48 9 .
fa mily ercy th e cie t p o e or
of P , an n ss ss s of it .
 P A ST O N LET T E RS .
“

Lord of Glo uce st er 1

h ll af
t er as to morrow famous doc tors of his go n ow a ga i n t o C am
m
s a -
,

en sa y . Al so this da y Rober t of R a tcl yff bridge to school .

wedded the La dy D ymock a t my pl a ce in A s for an y other t idi n gs I hea r n on e T he

m
.

Fleet stree t an d y la dy an d y o urs D a me Coun tess o f O xford ‘ is still in S t Ma r t in s ;

'
-

, , .

E li za be th Bourch ier 2 is wedded t o the Lo rd

’
,
I hea r n o word of her .

H owa rd s son an d heir Also S ir T hom as . T h e q uee n h a d child a d a ugh tcrf’ but ,

W algr a ve is de a d of th e sick n e ss th a t reign eth l ate a t Wi n dsor thereo f I trow ye b a d word

A n d a s fo r me I ami n like c ase a s I was ;
.
,

on T uesda y n ow (q no
)3 cheer for y ou
, . .
,

Also my L ord Archbishop was bro ugh t to an d as for my L ord Ch a mberl a i n

6
he is n ot
the T ower on S a turd a y a t n igh t ; a n d o n y et come t o tow n , whe n he cometh then sh a ll
M on da y at midn ight he was con ve y ed to a I w ee t wh a t to do S ir Joh n of Parr i s y our
frie n d a n d mi n e a n d I ga ve him a fa ir arm
.
, ,

ship an d so i n to the sea , a n d as y e t I c an n o t

, ,

un dersta n d whi ther he is se n t n or wh a t is in g sword w ithi n this three da ys I he ard

falle n (becom e of him ; m s omewh a t b y him
.

) en sa y th a t he h a th o f a ba c k frien d of yours ;
-

o ffen ded ; b ut, as John Forter sa ith some ye sh all kn ow more hereafter
men sa y n ay ; b ut al l h is men y [household ]
, .

Writ ten the l ast d a y of April

m
.

are d is a rbl ed
p (d ispersed
) e v er y an h i s
, 3 0 th o f A p r il ,

way ; an d some th at are gre a t clerk s a n d 1 4 66 6 E IV

. . .

LE T rE R C O LL— (LXI X vol iv p . . . .

T hi s letter is en dorse d i n a n an cien t h an d as fo ll o w s A very goo d Lre m o vin g S ir J P to be ca refull fo r

h is wrytin gs an d e vid en ce an d h o w m uch h is ffath er did estem
. .
, ,
”
e o f th e m T h e di sp utes con cern i n g S ir .

J oh n F asto l f s will bein g un determin e d at J ohn P a stou s death h is wido w wa s fearful l est b y ta kin g th e
' ’
, ,

m an a ge men t of h i s a fia irs sh e sh o uld brin g bo th herself an d h er s o n in to tr oubl e ; sh e th erefore ca uti on s

'

,
.

him a ga i n st in terferin g Her a dm on itio n s to S ir J oh n res p ecting h is atten tion to h is wr itin gs an d eviden ces
.

s h o w us th e v al ue o ur an ces tors set up on th e i r ti tl e d ee ds Soc T h e wh o le l etter is re pl ete wi th g ood a dvice

to a yo un g m
-
.
,

an j ust bec o m e h i s o wn m as ter by th e death o f h i s fa th er a n d con vi n ce s us th a t th e w ri ter k n e w

m a n ki n d an d wi sh e d her son to pro fit by h er e xp erien ce T h e date m
,

,
ay b e la ter t h an I h av e placed i t b ut .
,
.

th e reaso n s for giving th e l etter re ma in the sam e .

To m
y rig ht worshipf ul mt
a s er
,
S ir J ohn P a ston , Kn ig ht, be this letter delivered in ha ste .

I GR E ET well an d sen d you God s bless

y ou
’
be o f ch arge, that i t (they) c ome n ot in their
ha n ds th a t m
,

i n g an d mi n e ; de siri n g y ou to se n d me word a y h ur t y o u hereafter ; y ou r

how th a t ye speed in yo ur m a tter s for I thin k ,

fa ther whom God as soil in his t rouble s
, ,
’

righ t lon g t ill I hear t idin gs from y ou ; an d season ! set more by h is wri t i n gs an d evide n ce

i n al wy se (by a ll m ea n s
) I a dvise you for t o than he did by an y of his move able goods
beware th a t y e keep wisely your writin gs th a t remember th a t if they were h a d from y ou, ye
,

co uld n ever ge t n o more suc h as they be for

1 Rich ar d P lan ta gen et a fterw ards K in g Rich , yo ur pa rt & c , .

ard I I I .

2 T h o m as Ho w a rd son o f J ohn L or d Ho war d

Item I wo uld ye should ta ke heed tha t if
,

a n y proce ss come out a g a i ns t me or a g a i ns t

, ,

w a s cre a ted E a rl o f S urre y b Rich a rd I I I a n d .

,
,

D uk e o f N orfol k by Hen ry I I I He m ar ri e d . a n y of tho se tha t were i n dic te d afore the c o

E li z abeth da ugh ter a n d h eir o f S ir F re der ick
,

T il n ey K t , an d wido w o f H umphre y Bo urch ier

.
, ,

L ord Bernc rs ; sh e d i e d a bo ut 1 5 0 7 T h ei r son .

4 M arg ret wife o f J oh u de V ere E a rl o f O x ford
a , , ,

T h o m as afterwar ds D uk e o f Norfo lk w as b orn

, , wa s da ug h ter o f Ri cha rd N e vil e E ar l o f S a li s bury , ,

a b out 1 4 7 0 . a n d s i ster o f Ri char d E a rl o f Warwi ck T his lad y .

3 I s upp ose thi s m eans Georg e Ne vil e Archbis h o p

, s uffere d m uch both fro m p o verty an d di stress
, ,

o f Yor k an d brother to Richa r d N e vile E a r l o f

, ,
durin g th e impriso n m en t a n d e xil e of h er h us
Warwi ck wh o a t this tim e wa s grea tly di scon ten te d
, ba n d .

with th e proceedi n gs o f th e k in an d p erha ps h ad 5 E li z a b eth a fter wa rds Q ueen Co n sort o f Hen r

, y
dra wn h is brother th e A rch b is op i n to th e co m VII sh e wa s born i n February 1 465
.
, .

mi ssi on o f so m e act disa greeabl e to Edwar d 6 Willi a m L ord H asti n s

“

.
g .
4 P A S T O N LE T T E R S .

ro n er th at I migh t h a ve k n owledge the reof,

, when ye were l ast a t home an d wee t i t veril y ,

a n d to purvey a remed y t here fore . there is n o mor e i n this c o un try t o bear out n o
Item a s for your fa ther s will I wo ul d ye
,
’

, ch arge wi th I a d v is e y ou to in quire wi sely

.

sho uld take righ t good co u n sel therei n as I i f ye c a n ge t a n y more there a s (where) ye be
a mi n formed it m
, ,
a
y be pro v e d though n o for el se by my fa ith I fe ar el se i t will n ot be
man t ake n o ch arge th is twel v emon th ye well with us ; a n d s en d m e word in h aste how
may h ave a letter of a dmin i stration t o such a s ye do, an d whether ye h a ve y o ur l a st deeds
ye will a n d a dmi n ister the good s a n d t ake
, ,
th a t ye fa iled [wa n ted ] for pl a i n ly they a re ,

n o ch a rge ; I a d v i s e y o u th a t ye in n o w i s e n ot in th is co un tr y It is t old me in coun sel

.

t ake n o ch a rge thereo f till ye k n ow more th an th a t Rich ard C alle h a th n igher con quered
ye do yet for y e m
.

,
a
y verily k n ow b y th a t y our un cle Willia m with fa ir promi se touch
your un cle Willi a m sa id to y ou a n d to me , in g h is l i v elihood an d other thi n gs the which ,

th a t t hey will l a y the ch arge upo n y ou an d sho uld preva il him gre a tl y as he sa ith be war e
me for more thi n gs th an i s expressed in y o ur o f h im a n d of h is fellow by mi n e a dvice
'

’
fa ther s will, the which sho uld be t oo gre a t for God sen d you good speed in all your m a tt ers .

y ou or m e to be ar b ut a s for me I will n ot be
, Wri tten a t C a i ster the morrow n ex t afl er ,

t oo h ast y to t ake it upon m e Ia ssure you ; a n d S imon a n d Jude where as I wo uld n ot be a t

,

a t the revere n ce of God s peed yo ur m a t ter s so t hi s time b ut for y our sake, so might I choose
this term th a t w e m
.

a y be in re st here after a n d
, By yo ur mother,
l et n ot for n o l a bour for th e se ason an d re ,

member the gre a t co st an d ch a rge th a t we M A R GA R ET P A sron .

h a v e h ad hithert owa rd a n d thin k veril y i t

may n ot lon g en d ure Ye kn ow wh at ye left Caister Wedn esd ay
,
, ,

. 2 9th o f O ctob er 1 4 6 6 6 E IV
, . . .

LE T T E R CC L II — (LX X vol iv p
. . . . .

O n th e back o f th i s l etter in an a n ci en t h an d is wri tten , T este s idon e i a d n ega n d i v eri tate , n t p atet i n fra
‘

m .

T h e di sp o sa l c f S i r J oh n F astolf s l a rg e p rop erty occas i o n e d m an y l on g an d exp en s iv e co n tests , s o m e cl a im

'
'

i n g by h e irshi p so m e by gi ft a n d oth ers by d i fferen t ti tl es un d er h i s will

. , T h e p resen t di sp ute see m s to
.

h a v e b een rel a tive to th e esta te i n ten de d fo r th e fo un da ti on of h is college a t Ca i ster T h e a ccoun t o f th e

‘

cha racters o f th o s e wh o were g oi n g to L on don to b e e xami n ed on thi s o cca s i on is curio us T hi s letter .

h a s n ei th er sub scrip ti on n or d ate b ut by th e co n ten ts i t app ears t o h a v e b ee n w ritte n t o S ir J o h n P as to n

,

by h is broth er, a n d n ot till a fter th e de a th o f th eir fath er ; i t could n ot be written there fore b efore 1 4 6 6 .

J ohn P a ston to S ir J ohn P a s ton , Kn ight .

S mi t i th a t thi s S at urday Job n R usse sen t

s so in Y a rmouth th a t he is ba wd be twix t a clerk
me word b y Robert B utler t h at Willi am
,

o f Ya rmo u th a n d h is own wi fe A n d as for .

Ye lvert on h ath been thi s three days in Ya r J oh n Appleb y be is h al f fren tyk ( cra zy) a n d
mouth f or t o get n ew w i tn esses up to L on don , so take n in the tow n , n otwi th sta n di n g h e is an

a n d i t is tho ught b y the sa id J oh n R uss e a n d a tt or n ey, a s B a rtholome w E lli s is, i n the

R ober t B utler their wi tn essi n g is for t o pro v e
, b ailitf s cour t of Y a r outh ; an d as for J ohn
’

m
Clerk o f Gorlest on , h e is o utl a wed a t S ir J oh n
'

t ha t i t w as S ir Joh n F a stolf s will th a t there

sho uld be a morti sed 3 0 0 m a rk s ( 200 l ) by .
’

Fastol f s sui t, a n d a t di v ers other

’
en s, n ot m
year t o the college an d al so th a t such esta te with stan din g he is thoro ugh with S ir T hom as
as my fa ther t ook here a t C a i st er a t L a mm as , for S ir J ohn Fas tol f, for thi s c a use th a t th e
s a id clerk was o n e o f S ir T hom as Ho wy s s
’
n ex t be fore th a t S ir J oh n Fa stol f died wa s ,

d elivered t o my fa ther to the i n t en t for t o per l as t wi tn esses be fore thi s I trow Job n L oet .

form the sa id will . sh a ll be a n o ther witn e ss A s for B a rtholome w .

B a r tholome w E llis J oh n Appleb y a n d J oh n

, E lli s an d J oh n Appleby , they lie thi s n igh t
Clerk a re th e witn e sse s : a n d as for B a rtbo a t Bl ighb orougb o n w ard on their wa y t o

l om ew E lli s he is o utl a wed ; an d also en sa y m L on don w ard ; m ake good wa t ch on t hem .

 P AST O N L E T T E R S . 5

I pra y you sen d us some good tidi n gs . the gr a ce o f God , whom I be seech m ake y o u .

Written the S a turda y l a te a t n igh t n ex t goo d .

a fter C an dlem as d a y
-
. I pra y y ou remember I t hi n k their comin g up i s for to disprov e
J oh n Grey a n d J oh n B urge ss w e ha ve home yo ur w itn esses th a t ye h a d i n to th e Ch an cery .

th e most part o f yo ur b arley sa v e from W in Jo nN P A S T O N .

terto n , a n d th a t I tr us t to h ave the n ext week, F ebruary , a ft er 1 4 66 .

or el se we wi ll stra i t
(q distra in ) for i t by
.
6 E . lV .

LE T T E R CC LIII — (LXX I vol iv p

. . . . .

The v a ri ous m atte r tre a ted o f in thi s l etter gives i t a cla im to b e i n serte d i n this collection esp ecia lly a s i t ,

di sco vers th e ch aracters a n d vie ws o f ma n y p erson s men tio n e d i n thi s w or k I t h as n o d ate n or ca n we

Wi lli a m
.
,

cl e arl y ascerta i n h o w l o n g a fter 1 4 6 6 i t m ust h a v e b ee n w ri ten ; t is pro ba b ly n o t a gre a t whi le

’
t
.

Wai n il eet th e fo un der o f M agda le n Co lleg e i n O xford w a s at t hi s tim e Bi sh o p o f Wi n che ster h is p a

, , ,
r

ti a l it y fo r thi s un iv ersity is th ere fore e asily to b e acco un ted fo r .

To m
y ig ht w
r orshij
’
y ul mi ts ress, [ Ma rg a ret P a ston , widow .

R IGHT wor shipful mistress, a fter d ue reco m ha v e given creden c e to th e m alicio usl y c on
men d ation please your good mistress ship to
,
-
tri v ed t a le s th a t Fri ar Bra ckley, W B arker .

weet th a t I comm un ed l a te with y o ur e n tirely a n d other s im a gi n ed un tr uly s a vi n g yo ur

re v eren ce of me A n d n ow ye m
,
well belo v ed son , S ir J oh n P a sto n , i f the
-

, ay ope n ly
.

’
foun da t ion of my m aster Fastol f s college u n dersta n d the s ooth a n d yo ur s on S ir J oh n ,

might be a t C a m bridge in c as e it shall n o t b e a l so ; a n d yet fo r a ll th a t, I

p ut n e v er m y
’
a t C a i st er n either a t S t Be n et s, bec a use th a t
,
. m a ster Fastolf s livelihood in tro uble , for a ll
u n iver sity lieth n ea r the co un try o f Nor folk the un kin dn ess a n d cove t o usn ess th a t was
]
l
a n d S uff olk ; for a lbeit [a lt h oug h my L‘
ordv showed me, as I h a v e de cl a red to the bea re r

o f Wi n chester is di spo sed to foun d a college in hereo f, th a t I kn o w y e tr ust well to whom i n

thi s ye m
,

O x ford for my sa id m ast er t o be pra yed for , a y give crede n ce a t th is time .

ye t w ith m uch less cost he migh t m a ke some God amen d J R usse I wo uld he h ad been .
,
’
other memori a l al so in C a mbri d ge, a n d (if) a t Irel an d for on e d a y s sa ke .

i t were of two clerk s an d three or fo ur schola rs , Yo ur

fo un d ed a t le a st wi th t he v al ue of good ben e WI LL IAM W O R C E S T E R .

fices an d rich par son a ge s th a t might be p ur

c h ased the a dvowso n s with m uch l e ss good s And I than k
he ar t ily for my poor y ou
th an lords hips or m an ors m a y ; an d I fo un d wom an sh e sho uld come to yo u a t y o ur com
,

y our son w ell dispo sed t o mo v e a n d excite m y m an dmen t l a te or ra the (ea rly) b ut for jea ,

sa id lord Al so n ow the Chri stm a s week lo usy a n d mi sdeemi n g of peo ple th a t h a ve me in

gre a t a wa it (tha t mea n t o d o m em
.

n ex t be fore the feas t a t L o n do n m y L ord ,

isch ie
f an d
Win chester c a lled me t o him in presen ce of y e kn ow well mistress better is a frien d n u
, , .

kn own th a n k n ow n th e world is so misdeem

'

S ir J oh n a n d de s ired him etl ec t uall y to be

,

my good willer ; an d m a ster wo ul d h a v e n o in g a n d re a d y to m ak e divi sion a n d deba te ;

words re h ea rsed on my beh al f a n d he sa id tha t cometh o f a n e n vio us dispo sition A n d
I amrigh t gl a d tha t C a ister is an d sh all be
, .
,

full well wo uld Jesu, mistre ss tha t m y good

, ,

m aster th a t was some time y our h us ban d in a t y o ur comm a n dmen t an d yo urs i n e speci a l

my sa id m aster Fastol f s li fe days a s he

, ,
’

,
a rich j ewel it is a t n eed for al l the co un try in

showed to me t h ere co uld h a ve fo un d in h is time of war ; an d m y m aster Fa stol f w o uld

he a rt to ha ve tr usted an d lo v ed me as my
m a ster Fastol f did a n d tha t he wo uld n ot
,
ra ther he h a d n ever builded it than i t sho uld
be i n th e go v ern an ce o f a n y s o v ereign tha t
will oppress the co un try A n d I fin d the .

’
rel ig ion s o f S t Ben et s full un ki n d ly t ook
[ In th e
origin a l Fe tran sl ates
m
1 a lbe it . nn for al l
.

be it my Lor d o f Win che r ”

a w a y a c h a mber the elder a bbo t h a d
,
ste , & c .
] p ut e
6 P A ST O N LE T T E RS .

in po ssession for my sol a c e , when I migh t Reyn old H arn eys should keep a n d ta ke on e
c ome thither an d d esp ort me a n d t ook th a t h al f ; wo uld J esus B arker h ad sa id t rue it
migh t h ave don e me m uch good ; a n d m
, ,

m
c ha mber t o m aster J oh n S my th th a t S ir is ~

tre ss as I dare desire y ou I pra y y ou recom

, ,

T hom as Howys sa id t o e was n on e whol e , ,

s ome co un sell or in the re form a t io n of the l as t men d me to m y be st mi stress your mother

te sta me n t m a de , b ut t wo exec ut ors t o h a ve Agn es for sh e fa voured me a n d did me gre at
,

the rule alon e ; I would he h a d n ever meddled ch arity, t o be the better dispo sed t o her son
of it, th a t c oun sel m a d e m u ch tro uble ; I m a st er John A n d by m .
y s ou l i t m a de me
pr a y y ou keep this letter clo se t o yo ur sel f as I ,
the heart ier t o sa ve the livelihood from trouble
trus t y ou an d S ir Ja mes an d a l so in R T oly or from cl a im s, a s I report me t o all the world
I p ut n e v er m
.
, , ,

th a t I un derstan d him close a n d j ust . an or n or livelihood of my

I h a d n o t ime t o speak w ithin n ow l at e m as ter Fa stolf s in tro uble, n or en title d n o

'

cre a t ure t o n o pl a c e a n d ye m
,

when I was b ut on e d ay a t Norw ich W . . ay spe a k t o h e

,
r

B ark er sl an dered me in certa in m a tt ers of good hereof when ye be a lo n e

1 0 the sumof 50 0 m arks (3 3 3 1 63 8d ) th a t
.

. . . After 1 4 66 6 E IV . . .

LE T C C L IV — (L X X II vol iv p
T E R . . . . .

I n th e p r0 p o sal s o f marri ag e h ere p reserv ed o f thi s di stan t a ge w e fin d th e care an d atten ti on p a id by o ur

a n cesto rs to th e e n d o wm
,

en t o f th e lad y ; m ost pro p osal s b ein g acco mp an i e d wi th term s for that p urp os e
T h e S tran gers or L E stran ges h ere m en ti on ed w ere o f th e a nci en t a n d kn ightly family o f L E stran ge o f
' ’
,

H unstan ton i n Norfo lk,

.

To m
y ig h r t u'orshqif ul an d
g ood mt a s er, S ir J ohn P a ston , Kn ig ht .

R IG HTworshipful S ir a fter d ue recommen d ,

otherwi se ; I m ust beseech y ou of yo ur good
a tio n ple as e i t y ou t o un dersta n d the ca use m astership an d help in s ecre t m an n er as S ir
o f my writin g is for a m a rri a ge for my m
, ,

is T homas L yn es the bri n ger of thi s s ha ll in form

t re ss M argery your s is ter ; for my n ephew y ou I sha ll be a t L o n don in the begin n in g
‘

J ohn S tra un ge would m ake her sure of forty o f thi s term b y the gr a c e of God which pre ,

oun d s j oin ture, an d t wo h un dred m ark s serve y ou Written a t Nor wich in h ast e, th e
.
,

( 1 3 3 1 6 8
. 8 d ) by .ye ar o f i n heri ta n ce ; a n d if
. M on da y a fter T welfth d a y -
.

y e a n d yo ur frien d s will a gree hereto, I t rust By your

to God i t shall take a c on clus ion t o the
pleasure o f God an d worship to bo th p a rties J S T RAN GE . .

m
.

M oreo ver an d i t ple a seth y ou to weet I

, , N o rwi ch , Ja n uary ,

a sore tro u bled wi t h Beds ton as well b y the ,

b etween 1 4 66 an d 1 4 69 .

way of a tta chmen ts out of the Ch an cery as

G and 9 E . IV .

L E T T E R C C L V — (X X I vol i p . . . . .

hi
T s l etter o f S ir J oh n P as ton to h is m oth,
er a pp e a r s to h a v e b ee
,
n w ritten b etw een th e y ea rs 1 4 66 a n d

1 4 69 a fter K in g E dw a r d s m a rr iag e an d th e co ns eq ue n t di s pl ea sure

o f th e E a rl o f W a r w i ck
; b ut a s i t
’
.
,
,

h as n o d a te t h e p rec is e tim e can n o t b e a sc ert i n e d n o r h a v e o ur hi s tori es m e n t i on e d a n y p ubl i c e n try o f

a ,

th e ki n g i n to L o n don o n h is comi n g fro m Y ork ab o ut thi s p erio d Here i s n o m en ti o n o f a n y o f th e

, ,
.

q ueen s rela ti o n s a s atten dan t o n th e kin g wh o i s sa id to s p ea k o f th e Duk e o f Cl a ren ce th e h arl s o f

‘
'
,
,

W arwick a n d O xford a n d th e Archbish op o f Yor k a s h is b est fri en ds th ough t hose o f h is h ouseh old kn ew
, ,

h e regar ded th e m in a v ery di fferen t light .

To M istress M a rg a ret P a ston be this delivered .

R I G HT worshipful mo ther I c ommen d m e ,

God s th an k you for yo ur t e n dern ess an d help
'

to y ou an d beseech y ou of yo ur blessin g an d both t o me, my brother, an d servan ts ( Then .

 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .
7

f ollows a n c
a c oun t q on eg , debts,
d isp ute &c a c a me n ot t o t own with the ki n g S ome say
m
. .
,

w ith h is un cle Willia , a n d a d es ire to def er h is th a t they were yesterd a y three miles to the
s is ter M a r er s
’
m
a rria e with R icha rd Ca lle kin g w ards from the M oor an d th a t the ki n g
se n t them a m
g y
t i ll Chris t a s, m g
e ssen ger tha t the y sho uld come
T h e ki n g is come to L on don , a n d ther e when th a t he sen t for them I wo t (kn ow ) n ot .

c a me with him, a n d rode a ga i n (a n d rod e t o wh at t o suppo se therei n

m
.

eet him the D uke of Gloucester, the T h e ki n g him sel f h a th good l an gua ge of
D uke of S uffolk ,1 the E arl of Arun del,2 the the L ords of Cla ren ce o f W a rwick, a n d o f
m
,

E arl of N orth u b erl an d , 3 the E arl of E ssex ; 4 m y L ords o f York an d o f O x ford sa y i n g , ,

the L ords H a rry a n d J oh n of B ucki n gh a m, 5 they be h is best fri e n d s ; b ut h is ho usehold

the L ord D a cre,6 the L ord Ch a mberl a i n, 7 men h a v e other lan g uage, so wha t shall
the L ord M on tj oy 8 d
m an y other kn igh ts
an h astil y fall I c an n ot say M y L ord of .

a n d e s u ires
; the m a y or o f L on don , twen t y Norfol k 1 2 sh all be here this n ig ht I shal l
s e n d y ou m
q .

t wo a lderme n i n sc arlet an d of the cra fts me n ore when I kn ow more

m
.
,

of the town t o the n umber o f two h un dred Item i f E b,

e sh a
13
come n ot home wi th
a ll i n bl ue . m y un cle W illia m th a t then ye sen d me the ,

T he ki n g c ame thorough Che a p t hough i t two Fren ch book s tha t he sho uld ha ve written
th a t he m
, , ,
were out of h is way beca use (if he ha d n ot)
,
a
y write them here .

he would n ot be seen ; a n d he was a ecom J O H N P A S T O N , K n ig ht .

p an ied i n all people with on e tho usan d horse ,

s ome h a rn e ssed an d s ome n o t .

M y Lo rd Archbi shop"c ame wi th him from T h e s al has h e ere a circl e

York a n,d i s a t M 10
the oor an d m y L ord of ,
e r e
o f h u d ly s , h t ey usua lly
O x ford ‘1 rode to h a v e me t the ki n g a n d he
ad p o te
d but on e .

is with my L ord Archbi shop a t the M oor an d

LE T T E R CC L VI .
—(L XXIII . vol iv p
. . .

T h e d a te o f thi s l e tter from M a rg aret P a ston does n o t a pp ea r , b ut i t s eem s to h a v e b een w r i tte n withi n a few
years a fter h er h us ba n d s dea th th ough a s th e a ge o f h er da ugh ter A n n e at h er fath er s deceas e i s n ot
’
,
’

k n o wn w e ca n n o t e x a ctly a scerta i n i t A n n e w a s n o w gro wn tall , a n d b eco mi n g a wo m a n T h e en dea v o ur

. .

i n g to e duca te y o un g w om en i n th e h o us es o f th ei r s up er i o rs or o f t h e i r fri e n ds a n d re l a ti o n s a t a di s ta n ce
fro m h o m e h a s b een b e fore n otice d ( s ee L etter cvii v i p a n d was certa i n ly a v e ry p ro p er m etho d o f

m
. . . .

h a vi n g th e m i n structe d [T h e re a pp ears n otwi th stan di n 0g a grea t w an t o f a flection betwee n other an d

, ,
’

da ughters ; a co n sequen ce w e thin k

, , o f su ch estra n g ern en t J
T o J ohn P a s ton
,
the y oung er, be th is d elivered in ha ste .

I G RE E T well an d se n d y ou God s ble ss

y ou ,
’
letter compl a i n in g in his writin g th a t for as
i n g a n d mi n e ; letti n g y ou wee t th a t si n ce y e m uch as he c an n ot be p a id o f h is te n an ts a s
departed m y cousi n C a lthorpe sen t m e a he h a th been be fore thi s t ime he prop oseth ,

1 J oh n de l a P ole D uk e o f S uffolk h e m a rrie d

, ,
6 Rich a rd Fyn es L or d Dacre ,
.

E li za beth s i ster o f E dw a rd IV
, .
7 Willi m L or d H as ti n g s
a .

2 Willi a m F it al a n zE ar l o f Arun d el m arri e d

, ,
8 Wa l ter Bl o un t crea te d L or d Mon tj oy in 1 4 6 5
,
.

J oa n da ughter o f Rich ar d N evil e E a rl o f S a li s

, ,
9 G eorge Nevil e Archbi sh o p o f Yor k
,
.

bu y 1 0 T h e Moor a s e at o f t h e A rchbi sh o p s i n Hert ’

l J ohn Nevil e ,

f
, E ar l of North umberlan d , fro m fo rd sh ire .

to 1 4 69 J ohn de V ere E arl o f O x ford

he m
1 4 63 .
11 .
,

4 Hen ry Bourch ier E ar l o f E sse x arri e d 1 2 J oh n Mowbra y D uk e o f N or folk

1 3 E b esh am
, .
, ,

Cecily aun t to E dward IV

,
. wa s a tra n scrib er o f boo k s an e mpl oy ,

5 T h e s e t w o lor ds w ere o f t h e family o f S t fford a , m e n t m uch pa tron ised before th e i nv e n tio n o f

D uk e of B ucki ngh a m . p ri n ti n g .
8 P AST O N LE T TE R S .

t o lessen h is ho usehold,
to li v e the an d i ter there fore do yo ur p ar t t o help her fo r th ,
s s

t ha t m
,
s tra itlier where fore he
de sireth me t o a y be to y o ur worship an d mi n e

Item re m
, .

purvey for y our sister A n n e ; he sa ith sh e ember the bill th a t I s pake t o

,
wa xeth high (g rows ta ll ) a n d it were time to
, y o u o f to ge t of y o ur brother o f su ch mon ey
purvey her a m arri age ; I m a r v el wh a t c a useth as he h a th recei v ed o f me s i n ce y o ur fa ther s
'

him to write so n ow either sh e h a th displeas ed d eceas e ; see y o ur un cle M a ul tby i f ye m

m a n d s e n d me s ome tidi n gs a s s oo n a s y e m
ay
,
,
h i , or else he ha th t ake n her with de fa ul t ; ay
there fore I pra y y o u comm un e with my God keep y ou Wri tte n the Frid a y n ex t
.

cou si n Clere a t L o n don a n d weet h o w he is be fore S a i n t T hom as o f C an terb ury i n h aste

d i spo sed t o her w a rd a n d sen d m (2gl b of Decem
,
,

, e word fo r , ber) .

I sh all be fa i n to sen d for her a n d w ith me , By y oirr mother,

sh e sh a ll b ut lo se her time a n d w ith o ut sh e
M A RG A R E T P A sr o N
,

w ill be the b ett er occ upied sh e sh a ll o fte n .

times move me a n d put me i n gre a t i n quie t F rida y December , .

betw een 1 4 66 an d 1 4 7 0 6 a n d 1 0 E IV
n e ss
; remember wh a t l a bo ur I h a d with yo ur
. . .

LE T TE R CC L VII —( L XXIV vol iv p . . . . .

I h a v e p ri nted thi s l etter a s sh o win g n o t on ly th e fri en dly a n d j ust disp ositi on o f th e wri ter e vide n t fro m th e ,

a dvi ce which h e giv e s S ir J o h n P a sto n b ut to sh o w th e d uty a n d resp ect o f childre n th e n co n t i n ued

,

u lly to th e m e m ory o f th ei r d ecea se d p a re n ts T h e y e ar d y or a n n iv ersary o f a ny p erso n s d ea th was

’

ca lled th e O b i t ; a n d to ob serv e s uch d a y w ith p ra yers a n d a i m

an n a .
-
a

s or oth er co mme m orati on was c lle d

, , a
k eepi n g th e O bi t W e fin d th a t H ugh Fen n e strictl y ful fi lle d thi s observ a n ce o f filia l duty to h is dece as e d
'

m o th er T h e d ev ice o n h i se al is a fl o uri hi n g tree h a vi n g th i n itia l l etters of h is n a m es o n e o n each

e

s id e ; i t a ll ud e d p erh a p s to h is o wn h a pp y a n d fl o uri shi n g s i tua t i o n i n re s p ect t o h is fort un e fa m

. s s , ,

ily an d , ,

fr i e n ds [T h e a dvice seem s v ery stron gly to ten d to h is o wn i n terest or h is cli en t s )

'
. , .

T o the right worshipf ul S ir John P a ston , K n ig ht .

R IG H T wor ship ful S ir I recomme n d me t o an d if

ye be n ot the n a t C a i ster I pra y y ou
s e n d me word th a t I m
,

y ou ; like y ou (to) wee t a di stre ss was ta ke n a y com e s oo n er to

y ou
in C a i ster, by T hom as P e a cock I tro w y o u r to commun e with y ou in thi s m a tter a n d i n
a b us y m
, ,

s erv a n t
,
a n ca lled o f a full tr ue ,
a ll oth er th a t ye will an d so depa rt to ,

so n ] , J oh n Ha d yn et o f Herin gsh y a p oor L on do n from the n ce a n d there fore I will

man h is plo ugh h a th l a in e v er sin ce he sa ith ;
, ,

,
a bide with y o u a good while .

I un der sta n d i t is for C a t ts l an d I se n t S ir a s to C a t ts y e be remembered wh a t I

'

sa id to y o u a t L o n do n a t t wo t ime s I a m
.
, ,

my clerk t o my mi stre ss y our mother a n d the

sa me m an ; I h a v e s i n ce I c a m
, ,
the sa id J o hn w ith h im there fore ; a n d m y e gotten the
m i stre ss wo uld him come a ga i n an other d a y, eviden ce s i n to m y h a n d s a n d I a mrea d y to
sho w th em w h a t le a rn ed m
,

for P e a cock w a s n ot the n a t home so he d i d ,

an here tha t
ye
a n d c a n n ot h a v e it as he sa ith b ut th a t y e ,
will a ssign the m a tter is cle a r to m y thi n k
,

wo uld I shou ld s pe a k with y ou a t C a i ster in g T ittesh a l e tha t s ol d it to S ir J oh n

F a stol f migh t a s well h a v e sold himyo u r
.

thereo f an d o f other m a tters he told me thi s

d a y ; a n d bec a use o f my mother s y e a r d a y l a n d or min e ; a n d if the sale be l a w ful I
'

holden this d a y G od h a v e her s o ul an d to

, ,
sh a ll le a ve my h an d s a t the fir st as I sa i d a t
,

morro w sh all be a good d a y, I wo uld b y God s L o n do n , the dis tre ss t o be kept for th a t I
'

gra ce dispo se me to h is merc y a g a i n st wi ss it n eed n ot a n d it was un l a w full y ta ken ;

like it yo u to do deli v er the poor m
,

T h ursd a y as I h a ve used there fore I pra y y ou a n h is good s

a ga i n I a m
, ,

p ar do n m y comi n g ; in th e week a fter E as ter rea dy to an swer y ou for old a n d

I i n ten d to see y o u and m
, ,

y sa id mi stre ss n ew a s right w ill I sh all brea k n o d a y t o be

cert a in ly it is lon g s in ce I sa w her me seemeth , a ssign ed for to le a ve a l l other thi n gs .
IO P AST O N LE T T E R S .

l ord of this c o un try but n ot wi th the B as ta rd ;

, amon gst, an d be st can beha ve them, an d mo st
for the y m a de (a ) promi se at L on don th a t , like gen tlemen .

n o n e of them both should n ever de al with O ther t idi n gs h a ve we n on e here but th a t ,

o ther in a rms ; b ut the B asta rd was on e o f the the D uke of S omerse t 3 a n d all h is ba n ds
lords th at bro ugh t the L ord S c ales i n t o th e departed well beseen o ut of Bruges a d a y
field ; an d of mi sfortun e a hor se st ruck my be fore t hat my l a dy the D uchess c ame thither ,
L ord B astar d on the leg an d h a t h h urt h im , a n d they say here th a t he i s t o Q ueen M ar

so s ore th a t I can thin k he sh all be of n o g are t th a t was a n d sh all n o m ore come here ,

pow er t o a cc ompli sh up h is arm s ; an d th a t a g a i n n or be holpe n b y the D uke

, .

i s gre a t pi ty for by my tr uth I trow (thin k)

, No more b ut I besee c h y ou o f your bless
,

God m a de n ever a more worshipful k n igh t . in g as lowly a s I c an which I beseech you ,

’
A n d as for the D uke s court as o f lor ds , , forge t n ot to give me eve ry d ay on c e ; an d ,

l a die s a n d gen tle women , kn igh ts, esquire s, mother I beseech you th a t ye will be good
mi stress t o my l ittle m
, ,

a n d gen tleme n , I he a rd n ever of n on e like t o an , an d t o see th a t he

’
it, sa ve K i n g Arth ur s co urt A n d by my . go t o school .

tro th I h a ve n o wi t n or remembra n c e t o wri te I sen t m y co usi n Daub en ey five shillin g s

by C a lle s m
,
’
t o y ou h al f the worship th a t is here ; b ut wh a t an for t o b uy for him such ge a r
l a cketh as i t c omet h t o min d I sh a ll t ell y ou a s he n eede th : an d , mother I pr a y y ou thi s

bill m
, ,

when I come home, which I trust t o God a y recomme n d m e t o my s iste rs both ,

sha ll n ot be lo n g to fore We depa r t o ut of an d to the m as t er my c o us i n Daub en ey S ir

James S ir J ohn S ty lle an d to pra y h imt o

.
, ,

B ruges homew a rd on T ue sd ay n ex t comin g , , ,

an d al l folk th a t c ame wi th my L a dy of Bur be good m a ster t o little Jack ‘ a n d t o lea r n

him well ; an d I pra y y ou th a t this bill m
,

goy n (Burg undy) out of E n gl an d, except ay

suc h as sh a ll a bide here st ill with her, which recommen d m e to all yo ur folk s an d t o my
I wo t (Im
,

ow
) well sh a ll be b ut few . well willers ; a n d I pra y God sen d y ou yo ur
-

We depa rt the soon er for the D uke 1 h ath

’

, heart s d esire .

word th at the Fren ch ki n g 2 is p urposed t o Wri tten a t B ruges th e Frida y n ex t after S t .

m ake war upon him h ast ily, a n d th a t he is T hom as 5 .

’
w ithin four or five da y s j ou rn ey of Br uges, Yo ur son an d h umble serv an t,
a n d th e D uke rideth on T ue sd a y n ex t c omi n g , ,
J P A S T O N , the young er
forwar d t o mee t with him ; God give h im . .

good speed an d all h is ; for by my troth they Br uges ,

F ri day 8 th o f J uly
are the goodliest fellowship t h a t ever I c a me
, ,

1 468 8 E IV . . .

IV h e ch all en ge d an d v a n qui shed th e Ba stard o f

B urgun dy i n a gran d an d so lemn j ust in S m
.

3 E dm un d B ea ufo rt Duk e o f S o merset a n ad

h eren t to H n ry VI a n d h i s q ueen M arga ret com
i thfiel d ; , ,

a t which tim e th e p ro mise m en t i on e d i n thi s l etter

ma n d ed at th e battl e of T ewke b ury in 1 4 7 1 ; whi ch
e . ,

w as m ade T hi s a ccompli sh e d n o bl em an wa s b e
.
s ,

h eade d at P o m fret i n J un e 1 4 8 3 by th e co mma n d

, ,
b ei n g l ost h e fled t o san ctuary whe n ce h e was
, ,

o f th e P rotect or Rich ard D uk e o f Gl o ucester .

ta k e n a n d b eh ea de d .

4 T hi s li tt l e J h n wh ose sch oo l ed uca t i o n J P a s

,

t on s eem s so a n xi o us a b out m
1 Ch arl es th e Bo ld D uk e o f B urgun dy was b orn o ,
.
, ,

i n 1 4 3 3 a n d was sl a i n in b attl e n ear Nan cy i n L or ,

ust h a v e b een b r n ,
o
, ,

rain i n 1 4 777
, .
b efore 1 4 64 a n d m ost p roba bly di e d un der age i f h e
, ,

2 Ch arl es VII It is w orthy of rem ark h o w cautious

.
wa s h is so n a s S ir Willi a m P a ston k n igh t wh o as
, , , .

th e w ri ters o f t h es e tim es w ere n o t to giv e th e t i tl e o f s o m e p e digree s s ta te was born i n 1 4 64 s ta n d s i n t h e

, ,

K in g o f Fi a n ce to th e rul er o f th a t ki n gdo m b ut to ,
p e di gree a s h ei r to h is fath er ; b ut I rath er thin k th at
st yl e him th e F re nch K i n In thi s pl ace (a n d I J P ast n h a d n o t been m a rrie d a t this tim e a n d th a t
thi s l ytyll m
e . o ,
.
”
h a ve o bser ved i t i n oth ers th e w or d K yn g (ia “ ”
an was n ot h i s son .

ten di n g to g o on wi th o f Fra n ce) wa s w r itten with

,
5
T hi s m ust m e an eith er th e st d or 7 th d a y o f
J uly th e o n e be in g th e tran slati on o f S t T h om as th e
Apostl e th e oth er of S t T h om
o ut con sid era t i o n an d t h en o n o b s erv i n i t imm e v .
, , ,
,

d ia tel y crossed out a n d F ren sh e K y n g p ut i n i ts as aB eck et I belie ve

“ ’
. .
,
,

pl ce
a .
i t m e an s th e l a tter .
 P A ST O N LE T T E RS .

LET T E R CC L IX —( LXXV vol iv p

. . . . .

T he exact da te of th is letter is n ot easily determin e d n o r is i t o f an y con seq uen ce i t on ly sh o w s tha t on e o f

, ,

th e fa mily o f Fas tol f o f S uffolk preten de d a cla im to C a ister a n d in ten de d comin g to assert th a t cla im
,

with a la rg e fell o w ship wh ether thi s was T h om as Fastol f th e son o f th e la dy wh o h a d s om e t im e before

,

a ppli e d to J P as ton fo r h is as s i st a n ce to wa r ds re g a i n i n g th e liv e lih oo d o f h er s on o ut o f th e h a n ds o f

.

th o se wh o h a d th e wardship of him d oes n ot a pp ear I ha ve ven ture d to fix th e da te o f this letter to

1 4 68 a s it m
.
,

, ost probably was written a b out th a t tim e Reli c S un day is th e S un day fortn igh t after M id
.

summ er d a y -
.

To S ir J ohn P a ston , K n ight, be this delivered in ha ste .

’
I G R E ETy ou well, an d se n d y ou God s ble ss desire an d I wo uld n ot go t o C a i st er t ill I
,

in g an d mi n e ; lett i n g y ou wee t th a t Blick h a d don e ; I will n o more d a ys m ake there

lin g of Heyl esd on c ame from L on don this a bout if I m ay there fore in a n y wise sen d
,

week a n d he is righ t merry an d m aketh h is

, ,
somebod y home t o keep the pl a c e a n d when ,

bo as t th a t wi thin this fort n ight at Heylesd on th at I h a ve don e a n d per formed th a t I h a ve

sho uld be both n ew lord s an d n ew o fficers ; beg un I sh all p urpose me thither ward if I
m
-

an d a l so thi s d a y was brough t e word -

sho uld do there a n y g ood, a n d el se I h a d

from C a i ster th a t R ysin g of Fretton sho uld

,
lever (ra ther ) be then ce .

h a ve heard sa id in divers pl a ces there, a s I h a v e sen t t o Nichol as an d such a s keep

he was in S uffolk th a t Fastolf o f Co n g the pl a ce th a t the y should take in s ome
h awe m aketh all the stre n gth th at he m fellows t o assi st an d stren gt h t he mtill ye
, ,

ay ,

an d proposeth him t o assa ul t C a ist er an d to sen d home s ome other word or some other
en ter there if he m man t o govern them that be therein, & c
, ,

ay i n som uch th a t i t is

sa id th a t he h a th a fiv e s core m
.
,

en rea dy I m ar v el gre a tly th a t ye sen d me n o word

h ow th a t ye do for yo ur el m yse (enem
,

a n d se n d eth d a il y spies t o un ders ta n d wh a t ,

ies )
fell ow ship keep th e pl a ce ; by whose power, begi n t o wa x righ t bold, an d tha t putteth
or fa v o ur, or supporta t io n th a t he will do yo ur frien ds bot h in grea t fea r an d doubt,
there fore p urvey t h at they m
,

thi s I k n o w n ot, b ut ye wo t well th a t I h a v e a y h a ve s ome

’
been a firay ed ( f righten ed ) there be fore this comfort th a t they be n o more disco ura g ed ,

time, when th a t I h a d other c om fort th an I for if we lose o ur frien d s i t sh all (be) hard in
h a ve n ow ; an d I can n o t well g u ide n or rule this t roubles ome world t o ge t them a g a in .

s oldier s, an d a l s o they set n o t by a wom a n T h e ble ssed T ri n i ty speed y ou in yo ur

as the y sho uld set b y a m a n ; there fore I m a tters, an d s en d y ou the vi ctory of yo ur
el mse
wo uld ye sho uld sen d h ome y o ur brother s y [en em ies] , to your he ar t s e a se an d
or el se Da ub en ey t o h ave a rule an d t o t ake their con fusion
i n such m
.
,

en a s were n e c essary for the sa fe Writt en a t Norwich the S at urda y n ex t ,

gua rd o f the pl a ce, for if I were there ,

be fore Relic S un d a y in h a ste , .

wi thou t I h a d the more sa dder (g ra ver) or I pra y y ou remember well the m atters th a t
wo rshipful person s a bout me an d there come I wrote to y ou for in the letter th a t ye h ad
by Ja mes Gresh a m s m
,
1 ’
a men y of kn a ve s an d prev a iled i n their an a n d sen d me an

a n swer t hereo f by the n ex t m

,
i n t en t i t sho uld be to me b ut a vill a in y
,
. an t h a t come th ,

A n d I h a ve been a bo ut my livelihood t o set &c .

a rule therei n , as I h a v e written t o y ou .

, By
mother, y ou
which is n ot yet all performed after mi n e M A RG A R E T PA S T O N .

N orwich S aturda y 9 th o f J uly

— enn tran sl ates m
, , ,

[ Merry a ollo wi n g
f . P a y ] n . 1 4 68 . 8 E . IV
12 P AS T O N L E TT E R S .

LE T T E R CC L X
(L X X VI vol iv p .
-
. . . .

O n th e b a ck o f thi s l etter is th e fo ll o wi n g m em or an d um S i r T Ho wy s a greith to sell th e m a n n e o f

C a i ster to th e D uk e o f N o rff an d m o v ith th ereto m
. r

y L o r d C a rd en ll
”
. I t was i n co n s q uen ce o f this a .
e

a g ee m e n t wi th S i r T h o m a s Ho wys o n e o f th e e xecutor s o f S i r J oh n F a sto l f th a t t h e D uk e o f N o r fo lk

r , I , ,

s upp o s e c l a im e d th e m a n or a n d ca stl e o f C a i ter a n d i n p urs ui t o f th a t cl a im un derto o k to b esi e g e i t in

,
s ,

th e m a n n er expl a i n ed in th e foll o wi n g l etters Wh a t S i r T h o m a s Ho wys sa ys o f J P a sto n m ust he

.
.

b elieve d with ca uti on a s the y h a d di sa gree d con cern i n g th e e xec utorship o f S ir J oh n Fas to l f s will
, .

To m y m os t hon oura ble L ord Ca rd in a l

1
a n d A rchbisho
p of Ca n terbury .

M O S T reveren d my righ t good lord, I

an d th a t m y sa id L ord of Norfolk shall be prof .

recomme n d me t o yo ur gra cious lord ship in fered to the p urch a se of the sa id m an or of

my most h umble w i se ; pleas e y o ur l ord ship C a i ster a n d other m a n ors tha t m
'

a y b e sp a red
f
to wee t th a t my L ord ( of ) N o rfol k s co un s el t o the i n crea se of h is liveli h ood in thi s lan d,
h a th n ow l a te moved S ir Willia m Yelver to n , a n d the s e coven an ts to be e n gro ssed u within
p
short time as by All H
'

k n igh t a n d me to be proflered for to pur a l o waun ce

‘
i n c a se
ch a se the m
, ,

a n or of C a i s ter a n d cer ta i n other yo ur lordship be agreed an d ple as ed w ith a l l ,

’
lord ships th a t were my m aster Fastol f s , whereupon I wo uld be seech yo ur n oble lord
whom God p ardo n ! out excepte d the m a n or ship t o let me weet yo ur good ple asure a n d

o f G un to n th a t yo ur lord ship d esireth to p ur a d v ice in thi s beh al f .

c h a se a n d other cert a i n m an or s th a t my m a ste r

,
A n d bec a use m y sa id L ord (of ) Nor folk
2
F astol f s frien d s ha ve de sired t o be pro ffered ; i s so n e ar of blood to yo ur high n e ss k n itted,
'

a n d bec au se the p reten s ( rete n ded) b a rg a i n th a t moved me t o be the m ore w illi n g to

th a t J ohn P a ston in h is p ifet ime surm itted co n d esce n d t o the foresa id purchas e, a n d so
colour of which he i n ten ded trusti n g yo ur lordship wo uld be right well
t o h a v e a l l my m as ter F a stol f s l an d s i n
’
pleas ed w ith all Written a t Norwi ch t h e
.

Norfolk an d S uffolk for n o ught sa v in g th e ,

l 0 th d a y of O c t ober i n the eight h ye a r o f ,

high reveren ce o f y our e sta te was n ot j us t ,

the reign o f E dw a rd IV .

n or tr ue ; an d bec a use th a t I , with other o f Yo ur poor cha pl a i n ,

my m as ter F as tolf s exec ut ors m ’
ay h a ve ,
T H O M A S Bow rs .

whereo f to di spo se in c h arity ful deeds to do N o rwi ch M on da y , ,

for his s oul 1 h a v e co n de sce n ded the r a ther

, l oth o f O cto ber 1 4 68 8 E IV, . . .

LE TTE R CC L XI —(L X XVII vol iv p

. . . . .

T i l e tter i n fo rm s us o f th e p repa ra ti on s for th e de fe n ce o f Ca ister a n d gives ns a v ery mi n ut e acco unt o f

th e severa l m erits o f the fo ur w arlik e m
h s ,

en sen t d o w n to b e use ful w h e n i t sh o uld b e a tta ck ed .

To m
y ri
g ht well beloved brother, J ohn P a s ton , E s q , being a t C a ister,
-
. or to J ohn Da uben ey
there, be this le t ter d elivered .

R I GHT well beloved bro ther I commen d me (streng then ing ) o f the sa id pla ce ; a n d mor e
o v er t hey be proved m
-
,

t o you lett i n g you wee t th a t I h a v e w a ge d , en an d c un n i n g ,

for to help y ou an d Daub en ey t o keep the (exp ert) in th e Wa r an d in fea ts of a rm s a nd ,

pl a ce at C a i ster, fo ur well a ssured an d tr ue they can well shoot both g un s a n d cro ss bow s
men to d o all m an n er of thin g wh a t th at they
-

,
a n d a me n d a n d stri n g them a n d devi s e b ul
‘

b e de sired to do i n sa fegua rd or i n forci n g wa rk s or a n y th i n gs th a t sho uld be a stren gth

,

T h om a s Bo urch ier B p o f E l y wa s tra n sl a ted to P roc urcd or fi a ud ulen tly p rocu ed seem s th e sen se
Ca n terbury i n 1 4 5 4 He di e d a n old m
1 ,
.
,
’
r

. a n in 1 4 8 6 , . h ere req uired ]

2
( Fe n n reads p refiarred j [ 4 l n orig a l l Ha lo wa un ce A l lh al l o ws N o 1
[ S urm
.
, ,
v . .

3 is ed ca n n ot b e th e m ea n i n g o f th e wor d . F en n o mits a ll J .
 P AST O N L E T T E R S .
13
to the pl a ce , an d they will as n eed is keep don e I wo t n ot ; we see that he sh all be here
w a tch an d w ard , the y be sad (serious) an d a ga i n thi s d a M oreover I tro w Joh n A l
well a d v ised m
y
ford sh all n ot lon g a bide with m
.

en savi n g on e o f them which

y lord ; I
-

, ,

i s b ald an d c alled Willi a m P e n y which i s

a s good a m
,

a n as goeth on the e arth sa vi n g a

,
g
sh a ll sen d y o u tidi n gs of other thi n s in h aste
,
.
with the gra ce of God who & c Written on , , .

li ttl e he will as I un dersta n d be a little

, , , Wedn esda y n ex t before S t Mart in . .
1
co sch o ty n
p (hig h crested ) b ut yet he is n o
-
,
J O HN P A S T O N
br awler but full o f courtesy m uch upon .

(m
,

uch like) J ame s H alm an ; th e other three I f ear th a t Daub en ey is n ot all there (a l
be n a med P eryn S ale J ohn Ch apm an , t og eth er) bes t s tored to co n tin ue ho us ehold
,
’
Rober t Ja ck s S on (Ja ckson ) savin g tha t as lo n g ; let him sen d me word in h a ste a n d I
ye t they h a v e m
, ,

in e h a rn ess come b ut when it ,

will relie v e him t o my power, a n d ere lon g
cometh i t sh al l b e se n t t o y ou an d in the ,
t oo I hope to be with y o u .

me an while I pra y y ou a n d Daub en ey to Roger Ree is sheri ff o f Nor fo lk a n d h e

T h e e sche at or I a m
,

purvey them some . sh a ll be g ood e n o ugh .

Also a co uple of beds they m ust n eeds n o t y et a s cer ta i n ed of

‘

Also th a t thes e m
.

h ave, which I pra y y ou b y the help of my , en be a t the begi n n i n g

mother t o purvey for t hem t ill th a t I come e n trea t ed a s co urteo usly a s y e c an .

home to y ou y e sh all fin d them ge n tl em an ly Al so I pr a y y ou t o s e n d me my d ower 3

,

c om forta ble fello ws an d that th ey will an d ,

by the n ext messen ger th a t cometh .

dare a bide by their ta cklin g an d if y e un der A ls o as f or my L ord Fitzwal ter s oblig atio n
'

, ,

s ta n d th a t an y assault sho uld be t o war d s ; I I k n o w n on e s uch in mi n e a dwa rd a s yet

sen d y ou t hese m en bec ause th a t m
.

en of the
,
Al so the obliga tion of the Bishop of Nor
,
'

co un tr y there a bout y ou should be fray ed wich s o b ligation I n ever saw i t t h a t I ré ,

(f righten ed ) for fear of loss of their goods ; member wherefore I wo uld an d pra y my
,

where fore if there were a n y such thi n g to mother t o look i t up

w a rds I woul d ye t ook of m
.

en of the co u ntry Als o as for the Bible “ th at the m aster

b ut few an d th a t the y Were well assured m
, ,

,
en ,
h a th, I wen d the utmost price h a d n o t p ast
for el se they migh t di scour a ge al l the rem a n e n t . fiv e m ark s ( 31 6s 8d ) an d so I tro w he wn l
. . .

A n d as for an y writin g from the ki n g he ,

give it weet I pra y y ou
, .

h a th promi sed tha t there shal l come n on e ,

Al so as for S ir Willi am B a rber a n d S ir
,

a n d if there do h is un wa r s
y (w ith his p ri vity )
2
Willia m Falgate I would i f they c an pur v ey
y o ur an swer m
, , ,

a y be thi s how the ki n g h a th for themselve s full fa i n be di sch arged of them

s a id an d s o t o del a y them till I m
, .

ay h a ve
,
L o n don W edn esda y
Word an d I sh all soon p urvey a remed y
, ,

9 th N o vem ber 1 4 68 8 E IV
I un dersta n d th a t y e h a ve been with m
.
, , . . .

y
L ord of Nor folk n ow of l a t e, wh at ye h ave
3 T hi s my m e
fl our for h ouseh old us e ; or it
ma4y sign ify h is fl ower h is device or cogn isan ce
a an

, .

[ 1 Cop sch otg n i s cup shatten ,

-
apt to get a littl e T hi s m ust m ea n s om e M S co py fo r a t this ti m e .
,
’

drun k ] . th ere w a s on ly o n e p ri n te d editi on o f th e Bible -

,
3 I do derstan d this sen ten ce p erh a p s i t which would ha v e sold ev en th en for a m uch g rea ter
mean s unless they ta ke him un expectedly [ We
‘

n ot
s umth a n i s h ere m en t i on e d
un ,

,
“
.
”
I m ean Bibli a L a .

th i n k h is un warys m eans wi th out h is p rivity ] . tin a Mogun t p er J F a st an d P S ch iifler

. . . .
'

,
14 P A S T O N LE T T E R S .

C C L XII —(L XXVIII vol iv p

LE TTE R . . . . .

At a tim e wh en h is k eepi n po ssess i on of Ca ister wa s doubtful it wa s a stro k e o f po licy in Sir Joh n P asto n to
ga i n th e goodwill o f tg
,

xe q uee n by p resen ti n g h er ch a pla i n to th e free ch a p e l a t C a ister th o ugh h is

i n ten ti on h a d been to h a v e un ited it to th e m
,

o f h is co ll
as tersh i
ge th ere a n d thi s h e d oes n o t n o w desp a i r e ,

o f a cco mplis hin g as it wa s p rob a bl e th a t th e q ueen

, ch a pla i n w o uld so on h a v e s uch p refe rm en t as w o uld
i n duce him to res ig n this T h e di f eren ce o f o pin i on betwee n th e pa rson wh o wa s to receive th e m on ey
.
,

a n d him wh o was to p a y it i s a c uri o us a n ecd ote an d th e ca uti ous d etermi n ati on o f S ir J oh n li k ewise is
, ,

w orthy o bserv ati on th at thi s p ri est m ust h a ve it a s it was h ad d e b efor T h e fo llowi n g en tr y i s ta ken
, .
”

fro m th e i n stituti on b oo k s o f th e Bi sh o p o f N orwi ch

Can tar i a in C ay ster h a ll -
.

Lib xx p 1 7 0 21 Ma r 1 4 68 M Io h é s Yetto u S T P ad co l Ep I p la s f.
r.

By which i t a pp ea rs th at S ir J oh n P asto u s p resen ta tion e ith er was n ot a l l o wed or wa s n ot m

p
. . . . . . .
. . .

’
ad e o ut i n ,
time a n d tha t th e bis h op p resen te d by a la p se .

To m
,

y well beloved brother, J ohn P a ston , or to J ohn Da uben ey in his a bsence

-

, .

R I G H T worshipful an d well beloved bro ther, believe n ot ; I thi n k i t dear en o ugh (a t) forty
-

I c ommen d me to y ou, le tti n g y ou wee t tha t sh illi n gs by y ear

; he m us t h a ve i t as i t wa s
S ir T hom a s H owe s h a d a free ch apel i n h a d be fore
. .

C a i ster whereof the gi ft belon ge th t o me I tem this d a y I un dersta n d th a t there be

, ,

which ch a pel a s I un dersta n d should be in come le tters from my mother a n d y ou a n d , ,

th e old time, ere th e pl a ce a t C a i ster were
'

Da ub en ey wherein I shal l sen d y ou ans wer

buil t w ithin the mo a t wherefore I amb ut when I ha ve seen them
,

, , .

the be tter pleas ed ; an d so i t is n ow th a t a t N0 more at this t ime, for wi thi n this thre e
the speci a l request of t he queen a n d other da y s I shall le t y ou ha ve kn owledge of o ther
e speci al good lords of min e I h a ve given i t to m a tters
, .

the bea rer hereo f c alled M aster J ohn Yo tton , Wri tt en th e 1 7 th d a y of March .

a ch a pl a i n o f the quee n s ; n evertheless in

’

Whither he n eedeth i n d uc t ion or in stitu ,

t ime p ast I purpo sed th a t the m aster of the t ion or n o n e I wo t n o t ; if i t n eed bro ther
ye m
, , , ,
college should h a ve h a d it an d so ere lon g to , a y se a l a n
y su ch thi n g as well as I
I hope he sh all , wherefore I thin k he m ust M as ter S tephe n can t ell all such thin gs .

ta ke po sse ssio n , a n d th at is the c a use of h is J O HN P a sr on , kn ig ht .

comin g ; wherefore I pra y you m ake him
Lo n don
good cheer ; he is i n formed th at i t sho uld be Frida y 1 7 th o f M a rch
,

, ,
worth an h un dred shillin gs by yea r, which I 1 4 68 9 E IV . . .

LE T T —(L XXIX vol

E R iv C CT.XIII
p 3 1 1 . . . . .

T h e curi o sity o f thi s l etter con sis ts i n th e ca uti o ns given by W P a sto n to t h e b a il i fl fo r th e sa fe an d secret
’

con veyan ce of th e m on ey a n d i n h is a tten ti on to th e g oo d k eepin g o f h is h ors e Ba yard Wil li a m P asto n

,
.

w a s b roth er to J oh n P as ton an d uncl e to S i r J oh n a n d p rob a bly wrote thi s l etter in th e re ign o f E dw a r d

, ,

IV Edw ard IV wa s in Norfo lk in 1 4 69 an d a ga i n in 1 4 7 4

. .
,
.

M a utby
'

T o the ba ilgfi o
'

f .

M A S T E R b a il ifi I recommen d me
'

o y ou ; un t A n d if B a yard be un sold, I pra y you le t

pra y in g you th a t ye w ill sen d me by Willi a m h imbe m a de fa t a ga i n st the ki n g come i n t o
Cock s bearer hereof fo ur n obles in gold p ut
, , ,
t he co un try wh a tsoever I pa y for the keepin g
,

in to the same box tha t this bill is in as tho ugh of him a n d I sh a ll wee t h ow good a c o ur ser

i t were eviden c e, for I h a ve told th e m

,

es I sh all be m y sel f at my c omin g i n to th e

sen ger th a t he sho u ld bri n g me n othi n g b ut c oun try by the gra c e of God, who h a ve y ou
,

e v iden ce for he is in a m an n er depa rti n g out

,
in keepin g Wri tt en a t H eve n i n gh a m
. .

o f my service
,
where fore I wo uld n ot he By yo ur W I LL I A M P a sro x .

k n ew so much o f my c o un sel an d as for the ,

Heven i ngh am S uffolk ,
rem an en t I wo ul d ye should keep i t till I ,

E
° '

c ome mysel f . i erh a p s 1 469

>
. 9 . iv .
 P AST O N LE T T E R S . 15

LE T T ER CC L XIV — (XXIV vol 1 1 p . . . . .

Be fore th e i n v ention o f p ri n tin g th e n umber o f writers a n d copi ers was very grea t ; m ost m on asteri es an d
,

religi ous h ouses ha vin g an offi ce calle d a scrip to ri um wherei n sever a l wr iters were a lmo st con sta ntly
employed in copyin g boo ks on v ar ious subj ects mi ssa l s a n d b oo ks o f p sa lm s 8mrichly an d elega n tly
"
,

.
, ,

a dorn e d wi th ill umi n a t ion s Men o f fortun e an d l ea rn i n g lik ewi se occa si ona lly e mployed copi ers to
W E b esh a mwas on e o f th ose wh o p urs ue d this e mpl oym en t a nd
, &c .

t ran scri be bo o ks fo r th eir libra ri es . .

w rote a goo d ha n d ; h e co mpla in s o f p o v erty an d petition s to h a v e h is a cc o un t di sch a rg e d

, O n e o f th e .

a rticl e s in th e b ill is da ted 3 0 th of O cto ber 1 4 6 8 8 E IV : wh at fo llo ws th erefore was don e after that day
, , . .

so th a t p erh a ps th e bill was n o t deliv ered n or this l ette r wri tte n b e fore th e n e xt y ea r 1 4 6 9
, , , .

To y mt w
m os f ul m a ster S ir J ohn P a s ton K n i ht
orship
, , g .

M r most wor shipful a nd mo st speci al m aster worship ful m aster S ir J ohn Pas to n an d
, , ,

with all my service mo st l owl y I recomme n d wh a t mo n ey I h ave received, an d wh a t is

m e un t o yo ur good m a st ersh i p b eseech m un p a id ?
.

( ) g
,

y ou mo st te n derl y to see me s omewh a t re First, I did write t o h is m astership a s d . .

w a rded for my l abo ur in the grea t book little book of ph ysic, for which I
whi ch I wro t e un t o y o ur sa id good m as ter h a d pa id by S ir T hom as L ewis, i n
ship ; I h a ve ofte n times wr itte n to P a m p yn g Westmi n ster , .

a ccordi n g t o yo ur de sire to in form you how “

Item I h a d for the writi n g of ha l f
the Privy S eal , of P am
, ,
I h a ve l a boured in writin gs for y ou, an d I pyn g
see well he spa ke n ot to yo ur m as ter sh p o f Item for the wri t i n g of the sa id
i
,
1
i t ; an d God kn oweth I lie in san c t ry a t ua whole Privy S ea l 4 of S ir T hom as 2 ,
grea t co sts an d amon gst righ t unre aso n a ble I tem, I wro te eigh t o f the witn e sses 5
asker s . i n p a rchme n t but a fter 1 4d a .

I mo ved thi s m att er to S ir T hom as (L ewis ) piece for which I wa s pa id of S ir ,

l a tely an d he told me he wo uld move your
, T hom as 0 o o o o o o o

m astership t herein which S i r T hom as d e

, Item , while my sa id m as ter Was over
s ired me to remember well wh a t I h ve
a ha d the sea in midsummer term C alle ,

i n mo n ey a t sun d ry time s o f him

es the a ccoun t, a s sta ted m
set me a t work to wri t e t wo time s
om
.

( T h en c ore a t
the Privy S e al in paper a n d the n ,

la rg e i n thef ollowing bill ) .

a fter clea rly i n pa rchmen t

A n d i n e speci al I be seech y ou t o se n d m e A n d al so I wro t e a t the sa me t i me on e

for al m s on e of your old gow n s, wh i ch w
rll
more o f the lon ge st wi tn esse s a n d ,
coun terva il much of the premi ses I wo t well ; other diverse a n d n ece ssar y wri tin gs,
an d at
an d I sh a ll be yo urs while I live for which he promi sed me 1 0s
,
"
.

y
o u r comm an dm e n t ; I h a ve gre a tly m i ssed
( whereo f I h ad o f Calle b ut 43 8d ) . .

o f i t God k n ow s, whom I be seech pre e

s
(111 8 58 4d
all a dversi ty ; I amsomewh a t a o
. 0

y o u from
qua in ted with i t
m
. C a rried forw ard 24 4
Yo ur very an ,
WM . E BE S HA M .

3W e a re h ere furn ish ed wi th a curio us accoun t o f

th e exp en se s a tten din g the transcribi n g o f book s pre
v io us to th e n o bl e a rt o f p ri n tin g A t this tim e th e .

comm on wa ges o fa m ech a n i c were with diet 4 d a n d , , .

,

with out di et 5 rd or 6d a d ay ; w e h ere see th at a

. .

Followin g a ppeare th p arc ell y diver s an d wr iter rece ived 2d fo r writin g a foli o l ea f three o f
. ,

, , which h e could with eas e fin ish in a d a y an d I ,

sun dry m an n er of writi n gs which I, Willi a m sh o uld thi n k th a t m an y q uic k wr iters a t th at tim e

E b esha m
, ,

,
h a ve written for my good a n d wo uld fill fo ur fiv e or e ven six in a d a y : if so th e
, , ,

p a y o f th ese grea tly e xcee d ed th a t o f co mm o n h an di

1 Why h e wa s in sa n ct ua ry I k n ow n o t b ut i t ,
cra ft m en .

app ea r s th a t i t wa s e xp en siv e b e i n g th ere [ Mo st .

S o m e gra n t or oth er m a tter which wa s to p a ss
, ,

lik ely for debt ) th e P rivy S ea l

[ Grete m
.
.

5 T h e de p o s iti on s o f wi tn esse s
yst in o rig P ro bably g rea t wa n t ]
2 .
.
16 P AST O N L E T T E R S .

B ro ugh t forw ard B rough t forward .

“
Item , I received o f S ir T hom as at Item for the Ch alle n ge s an d th e A cts
,

Westmi n ster 3 0 th O c to ber 1 8 E o f Arm s which i s 2 8 le a ve s

I tem for D e R eg im in e P rin c ip um

.
, ,

I‘r 1 4 6 8
o C O 0 0
,
‘
,
“
I tem I did wr i te t wo q uire s o f
,
which con t a in eth 4 5 lea ves a fter 1 ,

p aper o f wi tn e sse s, e v ery q uire con pen n y a leaf, which i t is right well
ta i n i n g 1 4 le a ve s a fter 2d a le af . wort h
Item as t o t he Grea t Book — 2
,
Item , for rub 1 ishin g5 of a ll the book
First for writin g of th e Coro n a tion ;
,

a n d other T re a ti se s o f Kn igh th oo d i n , 63 5
t h at q uire which con ta i n eth a 1 3
.

l e a v e s a n d more 211 a le a f ,
. .

“
I tem for t he T re a tise of W a r i n
, Su mreceived
f our book s w h ich con ta in eth 6 0
le a v e s a fter 2d a le af
,

.
Su m p id
un a
,

S um
“
i tem for O th ea 3 an epistle which
,

con ta i n eth 4 3 le a ves

, ,
tot a l . 3 3 5

C arried forw a rd 51 8 W I LL IA M E BE S HA M .

T hi s e x actly a scerta i n s th e d a te o f th is receip t to

I

b a th e s oth o f O c tob er , 1 4 6 8 8 HI V .
Brough t forward
It for p m
. .
0
2 T hi s G re a t B o o k s eem s to h a v e con ta i n ed va ri o us
s l ettre s lxiij I p se of a d
’ ' ’
c
trea tis es . ’
,

I t fo r wryt yn ge o f a q ua re a n d d p s e y
,

1,
’
.

e
O th ea m e an s a T rea ti s e on Wi sdo m
3

m m— d
.

q ua yr xx
4 De R e i i n e P rin c ip u A T reati se C on cern i n g
t le der
'

g .
I ’ fo r wrytyn g e o f a Ca n
’

th e Go v ern m en t o f P ri n ces , a n d by b e i ng w r it te n fo r
a en n y ea ch l ea f, I s uppo se it wa s in q uarto It for 1 ij q ua yres o f vely
'

m p se y ,
’ e
q ua yr
p
.

xx
T hi s e i th er m e an s o rn a m en ti n g th e wh ol e wi th It for v q ua yres
n oty n ge o f d 13 l ev es
m
an
red ca pi ta l l etters or w ri t in g th e h ead s o f th e se v era l
,

tre at is es or ch' a pters in re d l etter

,
p se o f y q ua yr§ v
'
i ii y
:
[ R ubrickin g ]
m
s
libro script xx ' j c u
’ '
d i
’
ch a l ”
. .

It fo r c apita l d ra wyn ge c
’
an d d1
'

y
e
6 Un d p o ° i u
m
v s .

p Se
T hi s in th e origin a l fo ll o w s n on s ol 4 i s 1 d
. 0

Su . . . ’
fl
It fo r o ry sh yn ge o f ca p y a t llis v c

T h e fo ll o wi n g acc oun t o f p a ym en ts fo r w riti n g , & c

u
’
It fo r b yn d yn g e o f ye b o k e
.

i s extra cted from a n origi n a l q ua rto MS i n th e editor s

'

p ossessi o n , con ta in i n g th e v ar i ous ec n ses o f S ir

J oh n H o w ard kn igh t o f S tok e by Na yl a n d , i n
, ,
T h e wych e p cel l is y
'

mm astr p a id b y yis
“

S uffolk ( a fter wa rd s D uk e o f N orfo lk ) d a y an d h e is co n ten t

m
.
.
,

Ite th e V ljth yere o f R y uge E dw ard ’y e iiijth a n d

T hi s iscc oun t o f a limn er or ill umin a tor of
x xv i ij d ay o f J uly M y m as t ’ rek en ed w t
man uscripts who reside d a t Bury
an a

m
e

m
y

T h o m as Ly p n o r o f B ur y , a n d my m ast peid h y — -
, .

s Cl .

F o r v iij h ol e v yn ets
’
i d v iij
p se
y
e v
y n e t t x j
i
m
l
m m
for xxj d i v yn ets , p s s y e d i v y n ett, i i ij d vij
'
Xi l
c
j z fi3 00
m
.

It fo r P sa l es lettres , xv c i a n d d i y c p se o f
‘ '
5 A q ui re o f v ellu fro this en try see s to con
s i st o f fo ur l ea ves , a n d h is rece ivi n g on ly 3 d fo r
, ,

C i l ij d
.
o o a o o 0

n ot in g t wo l ea v es migh t b e acc oun ted for, by th e l a st

0 o o o

Carrie d forw ar d l ea f n o t b ein g full ; th e drawi n g a n d fl ouri shi n g o f

th e capita l l etters s eem s very ch ea p .

B orders fl owers or fl ouri sh es a t th e begin n i n g o f 1 2 3 a ppe ars a gre a t p r ice fo r bi n di n g a bo ok

. , b ut
bo ok ch a p ter & c —[ vign ettes ]
,

a ,
,

,
.
i t is s o s ta ted ln th e o1 igi n al a ccoun t .

t xv a n d di 1 5 0 0 a n d a n h al f
c ! .
 18 P AS T O N L E T T E R S .

in this c o un try for he repor t ed be tter of you

, I tem I sen d you the o u ch ”with the d ia
,
th an I tro w ye de serve I fel t by him tha t mo n d by th e bearer hereo f I pra y y ou for
get n ot to se n d me a kersch e of c r m
.
, .

th ere h a th been pro ffered him l a rge proflers

'
’
a
elle for
n eckerchie fs for yo ur s i s ter A n n e for I a m
,

’
o n yo ur a dver sa ries p a r t a ga i n
y ou
S e n d me word as h ast ily as ye m sch en t bla m
.
,
ay after
( ed
) of the good l a dy th at sh e is
the begi n n in g of the t erm how ye h a v e sped with bec ause sh e h a th n on e, an d I can n on e
i n a ll you r m a tters, for I sh all thin k righ t ge t in all this t own .

lo n g t ill I hear some good t idin gs .

I sho ul d wri te more t o y ou b ut for l a ck o f
Item , I pra y you recommen d me t o the lei sure ; God h ave y ou in his keepi n g,a n d
good " m a ster l th a t ye g a ve to t he ch apel of s en d
y ou good speed in all yo ur m att ers
’
.

C a i st er, an d tha n k him for th e grea t co st th a t Wri tt en in h aste on E ast er M on da y .

he did on me at Norwich ; a n d i f I were a By your m other,

grea t l a dy he sho uld un dersta n d th a t he MA R GA R ET P a sro rt .

sho uld fare the be tt er for me for m e seemeth

,

by h is demean i n g h e sho uld be righ t a good Norwich Mon da y

m
, ,

3 d o f A p r il 1 4 69 , .

an . 9 E IV. .

L E T T E R C C LX VL —(L XXXI vol iv p . . . .

E dw ar d IV ca m e i n to Nor fo lk i n th e spr i n g o f th e yea r in 1 4 69 We s ee th e de sire which n obl em en h a d to

'

. .

b e h on o rably a tten de d o n such occa sion s a n d th e i n terest th ey e mpl o ye d to proc ure a respecta bl e reti n ue
u ,

wh en th ey ca m e to m eet th e i r so vereig n J ohn P aston i n this case a ppli e d to the la dy to fin d o ut h er h us

.

b a n d s in ten ti on s an d it a pp ears th a t h is a pplication wa s successful

’
, .

T o M a s ter S ir J ohn P a ston .

m
S , I pr ay y ou re c ommen d m e t o my L ord as tho ugh sh e h a d asked him of her own he a d ,

S c ale s s good lor d ship, an d t o le t him wee t a n d he told her th a t he h a d give n th is an swer
’
;
th at in like wise as h is lor ds hip ga ve me in thi s gen tlem an is S ir Willi a m C althorpe ,4
c omm an dmen t I h a ve i n quired wh at the g en b ut I pra y y ou t ell my L ord S c ales th a t ye
tl em un derstan d n ot wh o i t is, for he pr ayed m e to
’
an s a n swer wa s t ha t my L ord of Nor
’
folk sen t to a wai t upon him a t the kin g s c om be secre t therei n .

i n g i n to this c oun try ; h is an swer was to my I pr a y with all my hear t hie y ou home in

m
’
L ord of N orfol k s me ssen ger tha t he h ad pro h as t e , for We thi n k lo n g t ill ye c ome ; a n d I
m ised my L ord S c ale s t o a w a i t upon h ima t
,

pray you sen d e word wheth er ye sh all be

t h e sa me season , an d i n asm uc h as he h a d m a de a Christ i an 5 an ere ye c ome home or m
promised my L ord S c ale s he would n ot fal se n ot ; an d i f so be th a t ye s e n d an y a n home m
m
,

h is promi se for n o an on live

(a live) ’I h as tily, I pra y y ou s en d m e an h at6 an d a
m
.

fo un d th e me an s th a t the s a id gen tl em an s bon n e t by the sa me an , an d let him bri n g

wi fe moved her h usban d with t he same m att er the h at upo n his hea d for (fea r of ) is m
1 Dr John Yo tto n to wh omS ir Joh n P as ton h ad
.
,
4 S ir Willi a m Calth orp e kn igh t h a d been High
, ,
‘

g iv en th e ch ap el i n C ai ster i n 1 4 68 S h er i ff of Nor o lk an d S uffolk b oth in this an d t he

n o uch is a co ll ar o f g o ld form
. f ,
2 A erly w orn by
, p recedi n g reign an d die d v ery old in 1 4 9 4 His
, .

wo m en a g o ld b utto n set with s o m e j e wel i s lik e

. , s econ d wi fe was E li zabeth d a ugh ter an d co h ei r
,
-

wis e s o calle d an d th at m ost p rob a bly was th e orn a

, o f S i r M il es S tapl et o n k n igh t o f I n gh am
, , .

m en t h ere m en tion e d to be s en t to S ir Joh n by h is 5 If thi s m ean th at S ir J o h u P as ton was n ow to b e

mother ; w e ma supp ose it was i nten de d as a pre ch ri sten ed i t app ears som e wh a t e xtra ordin a ry a n d
wh a t el se i t can m ean I k n o w n ot u n l ess w e m
~
,
s en t to h is b etro ed bride
el l e p erh ap s m i n fer from this expression an en tran ce in to so m
3 A k ersch e o f er m
. ay ,
’
ean s a k er e re
c hi e f o f crem
,

el l cre w el or w ors te d to b e m a de i n to, l igi o us s ociety .

n ec k h a n dk ercl uefs fo r h er d augh ter An n e wh o a 6 W e h a v e h ere a p roo f of th e e arly i n tro ducti on c l

‘

p
-

p ea rs to h a ve b een with so m e lad y of cons equen ce h ats ; an d J P as tou s care th at h is migh t n o t be p ut

’

for e duca ti on a n d bo ard . o ut o f sh a p e is worthy a b ea u o f th e p resen t a ge

,
.
 P AST O N LE T T E RS . 19

fashion i n g of i t ; L h av en eed t o both for I may

,
e d
s n y ou yo ur d esire ; written a t C a ister the ,

n ot ride n or go o ut a t the door s with n on e th a t

. 7 th d a y o f April . Yo ur
I h a ve the y be so lewd (sha bby) a m urrey
, Cai ster Fri day
, ,
J on N P A S T O N .

bonn e t, an d a bl a ck or a tawn ey h at ; an d God

‘

7 th o f A pr il 1 4 69 , . 9 E IV . .

LET T E R C C L XVII — (L X XX II vol iv p

. . . . .

A copy o f thi s an d th e foll owin g l etter a re wri tten up on the sam e pi ece o f p aper b ut with out s igna ture er
m
,

a ddress T h e fo ll o wi n g m e m ora n dum o n th e b ack o f th e p a p er h ow e v er

a scert a i ns b oth C op ea L i térz Dai
d e S ca l es ad co n cil ifi Dfic N o rff et alijs (a lias) i n fa v ore J P aston mil eo q uo d m
.
,
.

a ritaret C o gn at a s ua

Ha wte T h e con ten ts o f th ese l etters suffici en tly a scerta in th e a dva n ta g e s a ri sm

. . A nn a
.
"
g fro m for m i n g con n e xi on s
with fa mili es o f con sequen ce ; n o soon er wa s a n a llian ce prop osed b ut both th e fa th er an d s on ta ke S ir
,

J oh n P a ston an d h is affa ir s un der th eir protection ; th e Duke of N orfolk s coun sel (o f wh i ch L or d S ca l e s

,

was on e) w ere imm e di ately to ta k e ca re tha t n o furth er i n j uri e s w ere to b e co m mrtted upon h i s prop erty an d ,

th e serva n ts an d depen da n ts o f th e se pow erful n obl emen a re to d o a ll i n th ei r p ow er to gi ve him ever y

’

a ss i s ta n ce T hi s m a rri a ge n e v er too k effect an d th e m a n n er 1 1! wh i ch thi s a ff ir i s se v era l ti m es m en t i on e d

.

a
. , ,

s er ve s on ly to in v o lve i t in my stery I t a ppe ars h ere th a t th e la dy s con n exi on s were great a n d th a t sh e

must h a ve been n early related to th e queen
. ,

W O R S H IP F U L an d m y right good frien d, I a dvert i se an d a dvi se m y sa id lord an d yo ur s

commen d me t o y ou ; an d wherea s I a m th at all such en trie s, felli n g of wood distra i n ,

i n formed tha t m y L ord of Nor folk preten d eth i n g of ten an ts, an d all such m atters like ,

title to certa in l an d s of S ir J ohn P ast ou s tou chin g the sa id l an ds or an y par t of them

’
,

which were l a te of S ir Joh n Fas tol f i t i s sa id be ceased un t o such t ime as a reason a ble
me an m
,
a y be foun d b y my sa id lord s
’

th a t by the comm an dmen t a n d suppor ta tion '

o f my sa id lord c erta i n h is ser v an ts fell eth coun sel my lord m y fa th er s an d other cousi n s
, ,

wood, m ake th grea t w ast e an d distra i n ed the a n d frien ds o f m y sa id ki ns wom a n thi s n ex t

term , as m
, ’

t en an ts o f the sa id l an ds t o the gre at dam a ge a y be to m y sa i d lord s hon o u r, a n d

,

o f the sa id S ir J ohn P a st on a n d hi s sa id a n d to the sa v i n g of t he righ t title o f the sa id

ten an ts ; a n d a l so th a t my sa id lord in ten d eth S ir J ohn P as ton

O ver thi s I pra y you th a t y e will i n for m
.

to en ter certa in pl a ces of the sa me ; an d foras

m uch as m a rria ge is fully con cl uded betwi xt my good frien d James H ob art o f the premisses
th a t he m
,

th e sa id S ir J ohn P a ston a n d on e of my n e ar e st ay a dverti s e my sa id lord in like

ki n swomen I doubt n ot th at your re as on

,
‘

w is e a n d th a t ye will give creden ce un to

well c on ceiv eth tha t n ature m ust compel me Willi am P aston an d I sh all be well willed
to do th a t m
,

the ra ther t o show m y good w ill as sistan ce a y be t o yo ur plea ure w ith

, , s ,
’
an d fa vo ur un to the sa id S ir J oh n in su ch God s merc y
m
Fro mWe st in ster, the l 0th d a y of April
.

thi n gs a s con cern h is i n herita n ce ; an d

because I a mon e of m y sa id lord s co un sel
.

, S CA L E S .

a n d m ust an d will t en der h is hon our I Westmin ster M on day 1 0 th of April

he artily pra y y ou th a t it m
,
, , ,

a y like y ou to 1 4 69 9 E IV . . .

L E T T E R CC L XVIII. (L XXX III vol iv p -

. . . .

R I GH T trus t y a n d well beloved I greet yo u

-

, a n d to give creden ce un t o him i n such

well ; an d forasm uch a s a m arr ia ge is full y m a tters as he sh a ll in form y ou of min ei n ten t ,

con cl uded betwix t S ir J oh n P ast on a n d m y an d of cert a i n perso n s with whom y e sh all

right n ear kin swom an Ha wte I will th at y e , comm un e b y the a dvice of the sa id William
a n d all o ther m y s erv an ts a n d t en an t s un der P aston o f such m a tt ers as to u ch the sa id S ir
,

s ta n d th a t m y lord my fa ther a n d I m ust ,

J ohn P a ston pr a y in g y ou to te n der this m a tt er
, ,

o f n at ure an d re a son show un to him our good as ye would do mi n e o wn

From W estm
.

ass i sta n ce an d fa vo ur i n su ch m a tters a s he in stei the l oth d ay of April , .

sh all h a v e a do ; wherefore I pr a y y ou Westmi n ster S CA L E S .

he artil y th a t y e will take the l a bour t o come Mo n day l 0 th o f Apr il 1 4 69

,

, , .

to Norwich t o commun e with Willi a m Paston , 9 E IV . .

 20 P A ST O N LE T T E R S .

LE CC LXIX — (LXXXIV vol iv p

'
rT E R . . . . .

T hi s l etter m ust h a v e b een wr itte n in 1 4 69 a s th e th an k s to h is b roth er h ere giv en by S ir J oh n P as to n

,
rel a ted to h is p roper a n d S pirite d c on duct a t Ca ister P la ce His a tten ti on to wh ose s uccess in h is m a rria ge .

with th e da ugh ter o f L a dy Bo l eyn sh ows h is go od n a ture a n d h is broth erly regard fo r him a n d th e ,

a dvice which h e gi v e s him resp ecti n g h is be h a vi o ur bo th to th e l a dy a n d h er d a ugh ter s h o w s S ir J oh n to

be a m
, .

a n wh o n o t o n ly k n ew th e w orld b ut lik e wi s e o n e wh o un ders to o d t h e pass i on s a n d prej udices

i n dividua ls He seemed to thi n k to o th a t a h an dso m e yo un g m

, f o

. .
s uccess fully wi th a y o un g l ad y
an co uld n o t fa il o f pleadi n g h i s o w n ca use
S ir G odfrey or S ir J e ff ry Bo l eyn wa s L ord M a yor o f L on do n a bo ut
.
, e ,

1 4 5 7 or 1 4 5 8 He di ed i n 1 4 63 l ea vi ng An n e th e da ugh ter o f T h om a s L or d H0 0 a n d Has tin gs h is wido w

.
, , , ,

b y wh o m h e h a d th ree da ugh ters I sa be l A n n e a n d A lice ,th e la st f th ese was the l a dy to wh o m J P as ton

, ,
o .

wi sh ed to a y h is a ddresses an d wh o a fter wa rds m a rr ied S ir John F ortesc ue k n igh t T h e elder m a rried

, , .

Wi lli a m eyn ey E sq a n d th e ot h er beca m e th e wi fe o f S ir He n ry He ydon o f Ba co ns th o r

p kn ight an d
a l l w ere grea t a un ts to Q ueen A n na B o l e yn th e m
.
, , , , ,

other o f our s o vere ign E li za beth

m
.
,

To y b rother, J ohn P a s ton .

R I G H T worshipful an d verily well beloved -

evertheless there is grea t l angua ge th a t i t is
n
bro ther I hea rtil y commen d me to yo u tha nk
, ,
like to be ye be person a ble an d pera dv e n ture, , ,

i n g y ou of y o ur l a bour a n d dilige n ce th a t y e y o ur bei n g on ce in the sigh t of the m a i d a n d a ,

h a ve in keepi n g of my pl a ce a t C a ister so little dis co v eri n g o f your good will t o her bi n d ,

s urely both with yo ur hea rt a n d min d to

, ,
in g her to keep i t secre t, an d th a t ye c a n fin d in
your grea t busin e ss an d tro uble ; a n d I a ga i n yo ur hea rt with some com fort [supp ort] o f h er
w a rd h a v e ha d so li ttle leisure th a t I ha ve n o t to fin d the me an to bri n g such a m a tter a bo ut
s ped b ut few of yo ur err a n ds n or c a n n o t as sh a ll be her ple asure a n d yo urs b ut th a t
, ,

be fore this ti me . this y e can n ot do witho ut some com fort o f

A s for my L a dy Boleyn s di spo sition t o
'

her in n o wise ; an d bea r y o ursel f as lowly to

y ou w ard , I can n o t in n o wi se fin d her a gree the mother a s ye list b ut to the ma id n o t to o ,

a ble th a t ye sho uld ha v e her d a ughter for lowl y n or tha t ye be too gl a d to speed n or ,
,
all the priv y me a n s th a t I c o uld m a ke i n so t oo sor ry t o fa il ; a n d I al wa y s sh all be your
,

m uch I h a d so little com fort b y all the mean s hera ld both here if she come hither a n d a t , ,
t ha t I co uld ma ke th a t I di sda i n ed i n mi n e home whe n I come home, which I hope h as tily ,

o wn person t o comm un e with her therei n within forty da y s a t the fa r thest ; my mother
n everthele ss I un der sta n d th a t sh e sa eth
y h a th a letter which c an tell yo u more, a n d ye
may le t Daub en ey see it
,

wh a t i f he an d sh e c an a gree I will n ot le t i t, .

b ut I will n e v er a dvi se her t hereto in n o

J o a N PA S T O N , kn ig ht .

wise . A n d upon T ue sd a y l as t p as t sh e rode ,

home i n to Nor folk where fore as ye thin k y e I suppo se an d (if ) ye call well upo n R
may fin d the me an to spea k with her yourself
.

,
C a lle he sh all purvey y ou mon ey I h a v e .

for witho u t tha t in mi n e co n ceit i t will n ot written t o him en ough .

be a n d as for Cro sb y I un derstan d n ot th a t, Lo n do n , Ap ril ,

there is n o m a rria ge con cl uded bet ween them , 1 4 69 . 9 E . IV .

C C L XX —(L XXX V vol iv p

LE T T E R . . . . .

T hi s curi o us l etter furn ishes us with th e so le m n d ecl ara ti o n s o f a s ick m an o n h is death b ed rela tive to th e -
,

a uth e ti ci ty of th e will o f S ir J o h n F a st o lf which wa s p ro ve d by J oh n P as ton a n d which w a s re p orte d

n , ,

n o t to h a v e b ee n th e rea l will o f th a t k n ight T h e P a sto us h a d m a n y l o n g an d e x pen s ive s ui ts t l a w o n

. a

t hi s a cco un t which w ere n o t fin i sh e d e ith er i n th e li fe tim e o f J oh n P as to n o r in th a t o t hi s so n S ir J oh n

‘

T h ese so le mn as e rti o n s o f a p riest an d a m

-
.
,

P as ton a n o f l ea rn i n g a n d ch a rac ter th us co n s ci e n ti o usly

.

decla red m ust ha v e h a d grea t w eight in clea ri n g th e ch a ra cter o f J P a sto n fro mth ese fo ul a sp ers io n s
. s , ,

esp eci a lly a s th ey ca m e fro m so r sp ecta bl e a m

,
. ,

a n as Fr ia r Mo w th or Mo wgh t wh o was a bro ther of co n

seq uen ce i n th e m
e ,

on a stery at N orwich ( see Letter xxix p . .

J ohn P a ston , t o h is brother S ir J ohn P a ston .

S mple
,
e i t you to wee t th a t my mother a n d
as in g sh a ll be in th e
I c omm un ed thi s d a y w ith Fri ar MO Wgh t, to L o n don , whic h
 P AS T O N LE T T E RS . 21

i s in thi s wi se he say eth th a t a t such t ime a s

: And where as ye would h a ve ha d Richa rd
he h ad shriven Master Bra ckl ey I an d how C a lle to yo u as on S un da y l as t pas t i t wa s this ,

s ell ed him both he le t him weet th a t he was

,
T uesd ay ere I h a d yo ur letter ; an d where a s
i n formed by divers person s th at the sa id i t ple a seth y ou for to wi sh me a t E ltha m a t ,
2
M as ter Bra ckley o ught for t o be in grea t the tourn e y for the g ood s ight th a t wa s
,

con s cien ce for such thi n g s a s he h a d do n e there, b y truth I h a d le v er ( ra ther) see yo u

a n d sa id , a n d c a used my fa ther whom God on ce in C a i ster h all th an to see a s m an y
kin g s toum ey s as migh t be bet wix t E lth a m
-

,
’
a ssoil for to do an d sa y
,
al so i n pro v i n g o f
, ,

S ir J ohn Fastol f s will ; to whom the sa id a n d L on don

M a ster Bra ckley an swered th us a ga in ; I a m

.

A n d S ir where as it liketh you t o de sire t o

, ,

righ t gl a d th a t it cometh to y ou in mi n d for h a ve k n owledge how tha t I ha v e don e with

t o mo v e me with thi s m a tt er in d i s ch argi n g of the La d y Boleyn by m y fa ith I h a v e don e n or ,

m y con scien ce a ga in st God sa y in g furth er spoke n n o ugh t in tha t m a tt er n or n o u gh t ,

more t o the sa id Fri a r M o wgh t by the wa y ,

will do till time tha t ye come home an d (if) ,

th a t h is so ul sho uld to th a t the will th a t ,

y e come n ot this seve n year ; n otwith sta n din g
m y father p ut in to the cour t was as veril y the L a d y Bole yn wa s in Norwich in the week
S ir J oh n Fa stol f s will as i t was tr ue th a t he a fter E ast er from the S a turd a y t ill the Wed
,
’

s ho uld o n ce die T hi s was sa id on the S un n esd a an d H e y don s wi fe an d mi stress Alice

. y ,

d a y wh e n the sa id Bra ckle y we n d (thoug ht) both a n d I was a t Ca i ster an d wist n o t o f i t ;

her m
,

to h a v e died then ; on the M on d a y h e re v i v ed en sa id th a t sh e h a d n o n e other e rran d

a ga i n an d was well a men ded till on th e V

,
Ved to the t ow n b ut for to sport her b ut so God ,

n esd a
y an d on the Wed n e sda y he s icken ed
,
help me I suppose th a t sh e wen d (thoug ht ) I
,

a ga i n suppo si n g to h a v e died for thwi th an d

, ,
wo uld h a ve been in Norwic h for to h a ve seen
i n h is s ickn e ss he c alled Fri a r M o wgh t which ,
her daughter I beseech y ou with all m y .

was con fe ssor un to him of h is own mo t ion , ,

heart hie you home tho ugh y e sho uld ta rr y
sa y i n g un to him in thi s wi s e S ir where as ,
“
,
b u t a d ay for I promi se y ou yo ur folk thin k
,

o f yo ur own motio n ye moved me the l as t th a t ye h ave forgotten them a n d the most ,

d ay to t el l y ou a fter m y con sc ien ce o f S ir pa r t o f them m us t depart a t Whitsun t ide a t

J oh n Fas tol f s will likewi se as I k n ew ; an d
’

the furthest the y will n o lon ger a bide ; a n d

,

n ow of mi n e o wn motion a n d in disch argi n g as for R C a lle we c an n o t get h a lf a qua r ter

of m y so ul for I kn ow well th a t I m
.
,
the mon e y th a t we pa y for the ba re ho usehold
be s ide men s w ages Da uben ey n or I m
,
a y n ot
’

es c a pe b ut th a t I m us t die in h aste where fore ,

ay .

I des ire y ou th a t (you) will report a fter m y n o more witho ut coi n a ge .

d e a th th a t I took it upon my s oul a t m y Your

d y in g th a t tha t will th a t J oh n P a ston pu t in '
JO H N P A S T O N .

t o be proved was S ir Joh n Fa stol f s will an d A p ril 1 4 69 , 9 E IV . O .

t h e sa id Bra ckley died the sa me W edn esd a y

'

LE T T E R C C L XX I —( L XXX VI vol iv p
. . . . .

K r e e c r o t er re c t t e
in g E dwa d oft en m a d x u si n s, a n d by h is i n si n ua in g m an n an d a dd ss on c ilia ed h m in ds o f
ce t m
As
t
h is s ubj ec s an d i n du d h e
, et r
to b s o w libe a l gi fts upo n him , i an n t c ot e c t et r t
b er a i nly kn o wn wh h e hi s
t or c
v i s i to N ere r e et er t to
wi h was m ly to a i s m o n ey, or wh h h a vin g in ima i n s o f th e di sc on en o f h Ea l
, t t t e r
r c t e
o f W a wi k , h kin g wa s e e
n d a v uri n g t o m ak o e
himself p 0 p ul a r th e b etter e c t r ee t
t o n o un e a n d d f a an y ,

desi gn s o f h a n bl m an His m an n o f a v lli n g h is at nda n s , an d th e fa milia on v sa ion s whi h

t t o e er tr e te t r c er t c
‘

.
,

et er t e
a re dra wn in thi s l t rec o tere t t e re er e e te t e
wi h a se a n d p isi n , i n s h a d a s w ll a s d li n ea h m a n n e s o f t h e r
t e e t eD e o ce ter c t e
im s W fin d h uk o f Gl u s a c omp an ied h ki n g , b ut we hea n o hi n g o f h uk o f C la
. r t t eD e
1 T m ean in g o f thi s i s a fter h e h a d h eard h is 2 J oh n P a ston is sa id to h a v e bee n the ki n g
S ir '

ch a mpi o n a t thi s to ur n a m
he , s
co n fess i on a n d a dmin i stered the ex trem e sac ra men t en t a t E ltha m .

to M aster Brac kl ey .
22 P A ST O N LE T T E RS.

r en ce ; h e m ost p robably was at this very in sta n t with th e E a rl o f Wa rwick form ing th ose pl an s which soo n
a fter fo r a t im e re pl aced Hen ry up on th e th ro n e —E dw a r d s con v ers a t i o n with Willi a m P as to n wa s cer
,
’
.

t a in ly v ery p ro p er an d bec o mi n g a ki n g des i ro us th a t j ustice sh o uld b e d o n e a ccor di n g to th e la w ; fo r wh at

l l n eith er trea t n or s pea k fo r h im
.

can s h o w thi s i n ten t ion m ore stro n gly th an th e foll o wi n g wor d s I wi , ,

b ut I wi l l let th e l a w p roceed
”
His con ve rs ati o n like wi s e with B ra n d on wa s b oth m a n ly a n d spiri ted
.
.

T o S ir J ohn P a ston Kn ig ht ,
.

To begin God y eld ( ,

shield or
) y ou p reserve
1
T hom as W in g fiel d told me an d swore ,

for my h ats T h e ki n g h ath been in thi s un t o me th a t whe n Br a n don moved the ki n g

a n d beso ught h i m
.
, ,
co un try an d worshipfully received in to Nor
,
t o sh ow m y lord fa vo ur in
wich, an d b a d right good cheer an d grea t h is m a tters a ga i n st y ou th a t the ki n g sa id
un t o h im a ga i n
,

gi fts in thi s co un try, wherewith he holdeth Br an do n though th o u ,

him so well c on ten t th a t he will h as til y be c an st beg uile th e D uke of Nor folk an d bri n g
h ere a ga i n a n d the quee n a ls o with whom
, , him abo ut the th umb as tho u li st I le t thee ,

by my poor a dvice ye sh all come if so be , wee t thou shal t n ot do me s o ; for I un der

th a t the term be don e by th a t t ime th a t she sta n d thy fa l s e dea li n g wel l en o ugh And .

c ome i n t o thi s co un try ; a n d as for your h e sa id un to him moreover th at if my L ord

, ,

m a tters here, so God help me I h a ve don e as , o f Nor folk le ft n ot o f h is hold of th a t m atter

m u ch as in me was in l a bouri n g of them a s th a t Br an don sho uld repen t it every vein in

h is he ar t for he t old h imtha t he k n e w well
, , ,
2 3
L
w ell to my ord River s as L
to m y ord S c les
a , ,

S ir Joh n W y d v il l e T hom as W in g fiel d a n d

,
en o ugh th a t he might r u le my L ord of Nor folk
other s a bout the ki n g A n d a s for the L ord . as he wo uld an d if my lord did an y thi n
, g
Ri v ers he said t o my un cle Willia m, Fa irfa x,
,
th a t were con tra r y t o his l a ws the ki n g told ,

a n d me tha t he should move the ki n g to

,
h im he kn e w well e n ough tha t it was by n o
'

s ea k t o the two D ukes of Nor folk an d S uf f olk body s mean s b ut by h is a n d th us he de

p ar ted fro m
p ,

t h a t they sho uld lea ve of their titles of such th e ki n g .

l an d a s were S ir Joh n Fas tol f s and if so be ,

I tem as by words the Lord S c ale s an d
, ,

S ir J ohn W yd v ille took te n der yo ur m att ers

’
tha t they would do n o ugh t at the ki n g s re
que st, th a t th en the ki n g sho uld comm an d more than the L ord Rivers
them t o do n o w aste h er m ake n on e assaul ts n or
,
Item, S ir J oh n W yd v ille told me when ,

fra ys upon yo u r te n an ts n or pl a ce s till such he was on horseba ck a t the ki n g s depa rtin g

'

, ,

time as th e l aw ha th de termi n ed w i th you or th a t the kin g ha d comm an ded Br an do n of

a ga i n s t y ou ; thi s was sa id by him the s a me purpo se t o ride forth fro m Norwich to Ly n n ,

d ay in the mor n i n g th a t he depa r t ed a t n oon ; for t o t ake a c on clus ion in you r m a tter for -

whether he moved the ki n g wit h it or n ot I y ou ; an d he ba de me t h at I should c as t n o

c ann o t sa y , my un cle Willia m thin ks n ay ; doubts b ut th a t y e sho uld h av e your i n ten t ,

an d the sa me a fter n oo n followi n g I t old my an d so did t he L ord S ca le s al so ; a n d when

L ord S c ale s th a t I h a d spoken wi th my lord tha t I pr ayed them a t an y time to show their
h is fa ther in like form a s I h a ve rehea r s ed , fa vo ur to your m a tter they a n swered th a t i t
a n d asked him
,

whether th a t my lord h is fa ther was their m a t t er as well as yours c o ns ideri n g ,

h a d spoken to th e ki n g or n ot a n d he g a v e ,
the alli an ce be twix t you 8 .

me this answer, th at whether he h a d spoken Comm un e with Jakys Ha wte an d he sh all ,

to th e ki n g or n ot tha t the m a tter sho uld do . tell you wha t l an g ua ge was spoken be t wee n
’
the D uke of S uflolk s co un sel a n d him a n d
'

well en o ugh .
, ,

me ; i t is too lon g t o wri te but I promi se ,

1
[ Yeld ra th er tha n k I t h as occ urre d i n th ese
is .

you ye are beholden to Ja kys for b e spared ,

v o lum es a lready m ore th a n on ce i n that se ns e ) .
n ot to spe a k
2 Rich ar d W d v ille E a rl Riv ers fa th er to th e
.

y
I tem the kin g rode thro ugh Heyl esd on
, ,

queen w s at thi s tim e Lord T reas urer T h s n o

,
a . ,

blem a n an d h is eldest son S i r J h n Wyd v ill e w ere W a rren tow ards Wal s in gh am a n d T hom as
i n A ug ust fo l lowi n g b th beh ea de d a t N o rth a m
o , ,
o p to n , W in g fiel d promised me th a t he would fin d
by ri o to us m ob h ea ded by on e R o bert o t Riddes
a
‘

d al e .

3 A n th on v W d v ill e L o r d S ca les wa s secon d son 4 T h s i re fers to th e contract between S ir Jo h n P as

y , ,

to the E arl Rivers . to n and A n n e Ha wte

 P AST O N LE T T E RS . 23
1
the mean s th a t my Lord Glo ce ter an d of u s , as H oward J oh n of Parr T hom as G arn et,
, ,

him sel f bo th should show the kin g the lodge2 Festus Cheyn ey, T russ el the kn i gh ts son ,
th a t wa s broken dow n , a nd als o th a t they T homas Boleyn q ua propter ( in shor t )
,

wo uld t ell him of the break in g down of the Bra mp to n Ber n ard a n d Broom, P erse H o wse ,
, ,

pl a ce. W T on stal Lewis de Breta yl, a n d others,

.
,

Con trary t o these m a tters a n d all the a n d m a de them good cheer s o as they held
,
com for t tha t I h a d o f my L ord S ca le s S ir ,
them c on te n t .

J ohn W yd v ille, a n d T hom as W in g fiel d , m y I tem, my L ord of Nor folk ga ve Bern ard,
u n cle Willi a m sa i th th a t the ki n g told h im Broom n or me n o gown s a t thi s s eason
(with ) h is own m
, ,

ont h when he h a d ridden

,
where fore I a w a ited n ot on him ; n ot with
forth by t he lodge in Heyl esd on W arre n tha t , sta n din g I o ffered my servi c e for th a t seas o n

he suppo sed as well tha t i t m igh t fall dow n t o my la dy, b ut i t was refus ed I wot by a d ,

by the self a s be pl ucked down fo r i f it , vice ; where fore I p urpose n o more to do so .

h a d bee n pl ucked dow n he sa id tha t we A s for Bern ard , B a rn ey, Broom an d W C al

thorpe a re sworn my Lord of Glo ucester s m
, .

migh t h ave p ut i n our bill s of it when

'

h is j udges sat on the oyer an d de term

en ,
in er in b ut I sta n d ye t a t la rge n otwith sta n d i n g m y
Norwich, he bein g there an d then my un cle L ord S cal e s spoke to me to be with the ki n g ,

sa i th h o w th a t he ans wered the ki n g tha t ye b ut I m a de n o promise so to be fo r I t old

h imth a t I was n ot worth a gro a t without
, ,

tr us ted to his good gra ce tha t he sho uld set

y ou thoro ugh with both the d uke s b y me an you, an d th erefore I wo ul d m ake n o promi se
o f tre a ty , an d he sa ith tha t the ki n g a n swered to n obod y till they h ad yo ur good will first,
h imth a t he wo uld n either t rea t n or spea k for an d so we dep a rt ed .

y ou, b ut for t o le t the l a w proceed, an d so I t was told me th a t there was out a pri v y
he sa ith th a t they depart ed ; an d b y my tro th se a l for y ou t o a tten d upo n the ki n g n orth

an d
( )
i
f m y L ord T re as urer en co ura ge y ou n ot w ard ; a n d if i t be so I thi n k veril y i t is ,
.

more than he did us here ye sh all h av e b ut , don e t o h a ve yo u from L on don b y craft, th at

e a sy help as on th a t pa rty where fore l a bo ur , ye should n ot l a bo ur y o ur m a tter s to a c on
your m a tters e ffectua lly for by m y troth i t is,
‘

el usion thi s t erm , b ut

p ut them (in ) d el a y .

n eedy ; for, for al l their word s of ple asure , I pra y y ou purvey y ou on it to be a t home
I can n o t un dersta n d wh a t their l a bo ur in thi s as s oo n as the t erm is do n e
,
for by God I ‘

co un tr y h a th don e good wherefore be n ot ta ke grea t h ur t for min e a bsen ce in divers

pl a ce s, an d the most par t of y o ur m
,

over swi ft till y e be sure o f y our lan d b ut , en at

l a bo ur sore the la w for by m y troth till tha t
,
C a i ster will depart witho ut a bode an d (if ) ye
be pass ed w i th y ou ye get but eas y help as I be n o t a t home within this fortn ight I pra y .

c an un dersta n d .
you bri n g home poi n ts an d l a ce s of silk for
I h a d with me on e d ay at di n n er in my y ou an d m e .

’
mother s pl a ce sh e bein g out the L ord S c ales
, , , J O HN P a sr o N ' -

S ir J ohu Wyd v ill e, S ir J oh n H ow ard, N ich ol 1 4 69 9 E IV . . .

L E T T E R C C L XX II —(L XX X VII vol iv 13 . . . . .

O n th e b ack o f thi s l etter is w ri tten p marrita g in t R icmC all an d M a rg a m P a ston

,
ro . A pl easa n t lré
r ' .

to S i r J P as to n fro m h is broth er J P a ston wh ere i n th e sto utn ess o f S ir J o h n is so m ewh at d ec lared

.
, .
, .

T h e sto utn ess or ra th er fa mily p ride b oth o f S ir J oh n P asto n a n d h i s broth er are di sco v ere d i n thi s l e tter
, , , ,

in th e beh a vi o ur o f th e o n e to th e D uk e o f Nor fo lk a n d i n th e dis da i n which th e oth er sh o w e d t o th e id ea

,

o f h is s i ster s m a rri ag e with a p ers on i n tra d e Richa rd Ca ll e h a s b een o ften m en ti on ed in th e co urse o f

’
.

th e se l etters a n d h e seem s to h a v e b een a con fid en ti a l frien d o f th e fa mily

, T h i s h o wever s eem s i n th e . , ,

o pi ni on o f J P as to n by n o m ean s to ha v e bee n s uflicien t to h a ve a uthorised h is prete n s i on s to becom e th e

.

h usba n d o f h is sister (T his h owe ver seems stran gely in co n trad iction with L etter cclv p 7 wh ere acco d
.
, , . . , , r

i n g to Fe n n S ir J oh n h a d a gree d to t h e m a rr ia g e b ut o n ly wi h e d i t de ferred ]
, We h ere see th e origi n o f
, s

th e D uke o f N or folk s cla im to Ca i ster t o h a ve a r i en fro m h i s s upp o se d p urch as e o f i t fro m t wo o f S i r

’
s

1 Rich a rd D uke of Gloucester , t rwards K in g

af e 2 F or a full a c o unc t o f th e mi schie f h ere d on e , see
Ri ch ar d II I . L etter cc xxxviii . v ol . i p
. .
24 P AS T O N L E T T E R S .

Jo hn F ast ol f s ex ecuto rs this cl a im h e p urs ued an d in a few m on th s a fter th e w riti n of this l etter b e
'
,
g
,

s i e g e d th e pl a ce i n fo rm h a vi n g b ee n I presum e refused a p ea ce a bl e en t ry by Joh n P as ton wh o de fen de d

, , , ,

i t fo r h is b ro th er an d i n which de fen ce Da ub en ey an d oth ers l ost th ei r lives T h e l etter is curi ous a n d

. .
,

w ri tten in such a n e a s y an d fa milia r style a s greatly to i n terest th e reader in i ts con ten ts [ It is h o wever .
, ,

s tran g ely s tuffe d wi th th e n e edl ess o ath s which w ere to o custo m ary t th e tim e Fen n says Da uben ey
th e oth ers w ere tw o m
, a .

a n d oth ers los t th e i r lives en o f th e D uk e o f N orfo lk s p arty ]

’
.

T o S ir J ohn P a st on K n ig ht ,
.

S IR ple aseth i t t o un dersta n d th at I con cei v e ,

, ,
fore whoever sen de th y ou word th a t I h a ve
b y your letter which th a t y e sen t me b y Jud d y sp en t y o u an y mon ey si n ce ye we n t hen ce
, ,
’
th a t y e h a ve hea rd of Rich a rd C alle s l a bour the y m ust gi v e y ou a n other reckon i n g sa vin g ,
’
which h e m aketh b y our un gr a c ious si ster s i n me a t a n d dri n k for I ea t like an h orse o f
‘ '

, ,

ass e n t, b ut wh ere a s they write th a t they h a ve purp o se t o eat y ou out a t the door s b ut th a t ,

my good will therein sa vi n g yo ur reveren ce ,

n eede th n ot for y ou come n ot w ithi n them
, ,

they fa l sely lie o f it, for the y n ev er spake t o wherefore so God help me the fellowship
m
,

e o f th a t m a tter n or n on e other body in their

,
here thi n ks th at y e h a v e forgotten us all ,

n a me L ovell as ked me o n ce a que stion wherefore an d (if ) an ythi n g be ill ruled when
ye come home w yt e (bla m
.

whether th a t I un derst ood how i t was bet wix t e i t yo ursel f for

)
R d C al le a n d my sister ; I c an thi nk tha t i t de fault of oversight .

Al so, I un derstan d for very c erta i n , an d i t

'

was b y C alle s mean s for whe n I asked him ,

’
w he th er C alle de sired him t o m ove me th a t i s se n t me so word out of my lord s house ,
’

q ue stio n or n ot h e would h a v e gotten it a wa y th a t thi s P en teco st ( PVhatsun t ide) is my lord s

'

by b urn s an d by h aas b ut I wo uld n ot so be co unsel a t Framlin gh am an d they p urpose

, ,

a n swered ; where fore a t the l as t he told m e th a t thi s week an d the n ex t t o hold courts here a t
h is eldest son de sired him t o spere ( in quire) C a ist er an d a t all other m an or s th a t were S ir
,

w he ther th a t Rich a rd C alle were sure of her J oh n F astol f s p urch as ed o f Yelverton an d o f

o r n ot for h e sa id th a t he k n ew a good m
,

, ar S ir T hom as Ho wys wh om God ass oil an d , ,

ria ge for her b ut I wot he lied for he is whole

, ,
how th a t m y d emean i n g should be it is t oo l a te
with Rich ard C alle in tha t m a tter ; where to sen d to y ou for a dvice where fore a nd (zf ) ,

fore t o th a t i n te n t th at he n or the y sh oul d p ick I do well I ask n o th an k , an d if I do ill I

n o com fort of m e I a n swered h im
,
th a t a n d pra y y ou l ay the de faul t on over li ttle wit ,

( if) my fa ther whom God ass oil ! were ali v e b ut I purpose t o use the first poi n t of hawki n g
t o hold fas t an d (if ) I m
, , ,

a n d h a d con sen ted there t o a n d my mother , ,

ay ; b ut so God help

a n d y e both he sho uld n e v er h ave m y good me, a n d ( if ) they migh t pull down the house
on our he a d s I wy te (bla m
,

w ill for t o m ake m y si ster t o sell c an dle an d e) them n ot, which I

m usta rd in Framli n gh a m an d th us wi th m ore ,

trust to God to keep them from ; for b y God
,

which were to o lon g t o wri t e to yo u we de th a t bo ugh t me, the best e a rl in E n gl an d

wo uld n o t deal so with my lord an d m
,

parted [p a rted ] .
y l a dy
A n d where as i t ple as eth y ou in your letter as y e do without m aki n g of so me me an s to ,

to cry me mercy for th a t ye sen t me n ot them ; so God hel p me, whosoever a d v ise y ou
s uch ge a r a s I sen t y o u mo n e y for I cry y ou t o do so he is n ot y our frien d ; a n d I m ay I

mercy th at I was s o lewd ( rud e) to e uc um t rust to God to s ee y ou a bo ut M idsummer or

ber y ou with a n y so simple a ma tter con be fore for in good fa ith I ween ye p urpose
, ,

s id erin g the gre a t m a tter s a n d weighty th a t y ou th a t i t sh al l be E as ter ere y e come home ,

y e h a v e to do ; but n eed compelled me for in for al l your serva n ts here wee n th a t y e p urpose
m
,

th is coun try is n o s uch stuff as I sen t to y ou for n o more to de al with them . b ut t o l e a ve the ,

Al s o wherea s i t pleaseth y ou to se n d here in hosta ge to my L ord of Nor folk

,
.

to Rich ard C alle t o deliver me mon ey so God Al so S ir, I pra y y ou pur v e y wh a t i n n l th a t

, ,

help me I w ill n on e a sk him for m y self n or m y brother E dm un d sh all be in for he lo seth

n o n e h a d I o f him n or of n on e other m
, ,

,
a n b ut s ore h is time here I promi se y ou ; I p ra y y o u

o f mi n e o wn s i n ce y e dep a rted b ut th a t little s en d me word b y the n ext me ssen ger th a t

,

th a t I might forbea r (sp a re) of m i n e o wn I 1 T h e i n n to b e p urv eyed wa s a n i n n o f co urt n o

[
h a ve deli v ered to Da ub en ey for ho useh ol d, doubt But E dm un d b ecam e a sbld ier a n d wa s i n
.
,
'

a n d p a id it fo r y ou i n me n s w ages a n d there g arri so n a t C a la is in

,
26 P A S T O N L E TT E RS .
.

’
mi stress an d S ir Ja me s s a dvice ; 1 a l as ! wh a t to them an d tell the truth an d if they will in ,

me an they ? I suppo se they deem we be n ot n o wi se a gree thereto , bet wix t God, th e devil ,

ensured together an d if they so do I m a rvel , an d them be it, a n d th a t peril th a t we should

be in I be seech God it m
,

for then they are n o t well a dvi sed, remember a y lie upon them an d

i n g the pl a i n n e ss th a t I bra ke t o my mi stress

2
n ot upo n us ; I a m
hea v y a n d sorry t o remem
a t the begi nn i n g a n d,
I s uppo se by y ou both , , ber their di spo s i tion God sen d them gra c e to .

an d ye did as ye o ught to do of very right ,

g uide all thi n gs well, as well (as) I would
an d if ye h a ve do n e the c o n tr a ry as I h a ve , they did ; God be their guid e, an d sen d them
been i n formed ye h a ve don e, ye did n either pe a ce an d rest & c , .

c on c iensl y (con scien t ious ly) n or t o the pleasure I m arvel much th at they sho uld take thi s
of God , w itho ut ye did it for fe a r a n d for the m a tter so h eed el y (ca utious ly) ‘ as I un der
time, to ple ase such as were a t th at t ime a bout stan d they do rememberin g i t is in s uch c as e
,

y ou ; an d if ye d id i t for thi s c ause , it was a as i t c a n n ot be remedie d , an d m y des ert u po n

reaso n a ble c aus e c on sideri n g the grea t an d

,
every beh al f i t is for t o be though t there
importa ble 3 c allin g upo n th a t ye h a d a n d , sho uld be n on e ob sta cle a ga i n st i t ; an d a l so

m an y an un true tale was m ade t o y ou of me, the wor shipful th a t is in them is n ot in yo ur

which God k n ow it, I wa s n ever guilty of m a rria ge i t is in their own m arri a ge, which
m
-
.
, ,

M y l a d tol d me th a t my mi stress your I be seech God sen d them suc h as a y be

m
mo ther asked hi if he h a d bro ugh t a n y le t to their worship an d ple asure t o God an d
’
,

ter t o y ou an d ma n y other thin gs sh e bar e to their he ar ts eas e, for els e were it grea t
him on h an d an d am pi ty M is tre ss I a ma fra id t o write to y ou,
,

,
on g all o ther a t the l ast .
,

sh e sa id t o him th a t I would n ot m ak e her for I un derstan d ye h ave showed my letters

rivy t o the b egi n n in g b ut sh e suppo sed I th a t I h ave sen t y ou be fore this time ; b ut I
p ,

would a t the en din g ; an d as t o th a t God pr a y you le t n o cre at ure see thi s letter, a s
k n owe th , sh e kn e w i t first o f me an d n on e s oo n as ye h a ve rea d it let i t be b urn t for I
wo uld n o m
,

o ther ; I wot n ot wh a t her mistre ss ship me an eth , -

a n sho uld see i t i n n o wi se ; ye

for by my troth there is n o gen tlewoman alive h a d n o wri t i n g from me thi s t wo y e a r 5 n or I ,

th a t my hear t ten d ereth more th an i t do th w ill n ot sen d you n o more, therefore I remi t
her, n or is lo a ther t o di sple as e, sa vin g o n ly al l this m a tt er t o y o ur wi sdom Almighty
yo ur person which of very righ t I o ugh t t o Je su pre serve, keep, a n d (g ive) y o u y our
ten der a n d love best for I ambo un d there to
,
’

,
heart s des ire, which I wot well sho ul d be t o
’
by th e l a w of God an d so will do while th a t
,
God s pleasure & c ,
.

I live wh a tsoever fall o f i t ; I suppose an d (if) T hi s le tter was written wi th as gre a t pa i n

ye tell them sa dly (seriously) the truth, they as ever wro t e I thi n g in my li fe for in good
fa ith I h a ve bee n righ t sick , an d ye t a mn ot
,

will n ot d am n their so ul s for us ; tho ugh I

tell them the truth the y will n ot belie v e me verily at e as e, God a men d i t, & c .

as well a s t hey wil l do y ou a n d there fore , ,

good l ady, at the reveren c e of God be pl a in 1 4 69 . 9 E IV . R IC H A R D C ALL E .

LE TCC L XXIV —(X X V vol ii p

T ER . . . .

Hum phrey L or d S ta fiord was created E arl o f Dev on shire in Ma y 1 4 69 n d beh ea de d a t Brid gewater th e
’

, a ,

1 7 th o f A ug ust fo llo wi n g by co mm an d o f th e ki n g for a ba n do n ing th e E ar l of P e mbro k e before th e b a ttl e

, ,

o f B an b ury ; by which m ean s th e reb el s w ere victor io us

To m
.

y worsh ipf ul brother, S ir J ohn P a ston , be this bill delivered in ha ste .

R I GHT worship ful brother I recommen d me S ta fiord was m a de E arl of D evon shire up on
'

un t o y ou, le tt i n g y ou to wee t th a t m
,

y L ord S un d a y ; an d as for the ki n g, as I un dersta n d,

2
[P ro b a bly S ir J a m e s G lo ys
[ T h e co n struct i on is ra ther
.

o bscure h ere b ut w e
]
,
4
[W era ther thi nk ho ily—a ngrily m
h ere m ea n t ) .
a dly—is m ,

thi n k h e m ean s to sp ea k o f th e pl a i nn ess with which 5

[ T his w ould see m to p ut l etter cclv at l east a s .

I an d ( I s uppo se) yo u both bra k e th e m atter to my far bac k as 1 4 6 6 a n d i s sca rcely recon ci leab le wi h
mi3stress i f ye did—a s ye ough t to ha ve don e &c ]
, , ,
t

L etter cc lxxii , wh ere th e m a rri ag e seem s S p o k e n o f

[ Im
, , .

p orl a blc un b e arable ] . as recen t ) .

 P A S T O N LE T T E R S .
27

h e d ep artyt ( ’ )
dep a rts t o W al s i n gh a m
1
upo n wri te un t o y ou, b ut Jesu ha ve y ou i n h is
Frida y come sev n igh t, an d t he queen a lso, keepi n g .

i f God sen d her hele (hea lth) A n d as for the .

Writte n a t Wi n dsor on Mon da y a fter Whi t
kin g, (he) was appoi n ted for t o go t o C al a is, sun d a y in h aste, & c .

an d n ow i t is
p ut off .
B y yo ur brother 2
A n d also as for the goi n g t o the sea , m y
JA M E S HA WT E
L ord of W arwick s ships go to the sea , as I
’ .

Whitsun Mo n da y ,

un derstan d . No n e other tidi n gs I can n on e 22n d o f M a y 1 4 69 9 E d IV , . . .

LE T T E R CC L XX V —(XXVI vol . . . 11 . p .

T hi s l etter sh ows th e a tten tion which th e city of Nor wich wish ed to p a y to th e q ueen o n h er recepti on an d ,
d uri n g h er res idence th ere Henry S p elm a n marrie d E la da ugh ter a n d coheir o f Wi llia m de N a rb urgh
.
,
,
a n d was th e first o f th a t fa mily th at s ettl e d a t N a rb o rough i n N or fo lk

T o the rig ht reverend S ir Hen ry Sp elm

.

a n , rec ord er o
f the city of N orw ich, be this letter
Ck livered o

R I GH T reveren d S ir I recom men d me t o you

, . desire to be received an d a tt en ded as worship
Ple as e it you to k n o w thi s sa me d a y c ame to fully as e v er was quee n a fore her 6 Where .

3
me the sheri ff of Nor olk him sel f a n d told
f , fore I by the assen t of m y brethre n aldermen ,
,
me tha t the q ueen 4 sh all be a t Nor wich upo n & c pra y y ou heartily to h a ve this la bour for
this ci ty an d tha t i t ple ase y ou if it m
.
,
’
T ues da y 5 come sev n igh t surely An d I de .
, a y be ,
,
s ired to h a ve kn ow of him bec ause t hi s sho uld , tha t a t tha t d ay ye be here in proper person .

be her first comin g hither how we sho uld , A n d I tr ust in God th a t either in rew a rds or ,

be rul ed, as well in her receivin g as in her el se in than ki n gs both of the ki n g s comin g ’

a bidi n g here A n d he sa id he wo uld n ot an d in thi s ye sh a ll be ple ased a s worthy i s

oc c up y h imtherewith, b ut he co un selled us
.
, .

Wri tten in hast e a t Norwich the 6 th d ay of ,

to write to y ou to L o n don to k n o w of them , J uly an n o 9 Regi s E d wd i quarti °
.

th a t been of coun sel of th a t city, or with

o ther worshipful m
By y o ur well willer, -

en of the sa me city th a t ,
JO HN A n ew ,7 & c
been k n o win g in th a t b eh al f ; a n d we to be .

g
Nc
ruled there after as were a ccordi n g [fitting ] liiiii da y
f
’
-
, 6th of July ,
for us ; for he le t me to weet tha t sh e wo uld 1 4 59 . 9 E .
IV .

LE CC L XXVI —(XXVII vol 1 1 p 23

T T E R . . . . .

T h ere is n o d a te to this l etter ; wh eth er i t refers th erefore to th e co mi n g o f th e ki n g i n to Norfolk in 1 4 69 or ,

in 1 4 7 4 is un certa i n a n d o f littl e co n s equen ce ; th e chi e f reas on for i n sertin g i t was to sh o w th e prep a ra ti on s

,

exp ected to b e m a de for the atten din g up on a n d receivin g him T h e p eculiar ity o f th e D uk e o f N orfo l k s .
’

liver ies is worthy n otice bei ng to h e ma de p arty col o ured o f bl ue a n d ta wn y hay i n g th e left side of th e
Dresses o f thi s ki n d m
-
, .

fo rm er an d the right o f th e l a tter co lo ur

, . a y b e see n i n v a r i o us ill umi n a ted m a n u

scr ipts o f thi s a ge [ Fro m the t im e o f Rich ard II th ere h d been m an y en a ctmen ts g ain st the pract ice o f
. . a a

k eepi n g l rge ba n ds o f liveried reta iners T h e pro hibition was ren ewed 8 E dward IV c 2 a n d th e p en a lty
other th an h i s m en ia l serva n t officer r m
a . . .
,

wa s o n e h un dre d sh illi n gs for e very p erson , a n l ea rn ed i n th e , , o

o n e l a w or th e oth er so reta i n e d by an y o n e
, o f wh a t esta te degree o r con di ti on th a t h e b e ,the fi n e to ,

b e repea te d for every mo n th tha t an y s uch p erson is so reta in e d by him by oa t h wri tin g in den ture or
“
, , , ,

p romi se an d a like p en alty o n th e p erson retai n ed T h e e xception s h o we ver a re n umero us P rovided

. .
, , .

of W lsin gh a m in
a N orfolk .

J a m es .
28 P AST O N LE T T E R S .

a sl o th t thi s ordin an ce do n o t exten d

,
a l iv ery giv en or to b e giv e n a t th e ki n g s or q ueen s coron ation
to a n y
'
’
.

or a t th e st ell a ti o n o f an a rchbi sh o p r bi sh o p or erec ti o n cre a ti on or m rri a g e o f an y l ord o r l dy o f

o , , ,
a a

esta te or a t th e crea ti on o f kn igh ts o f th e B th or a t th e comm en cem en t o f an y cl erk i n an y un iversity or

, a , ,

a t th e crea ti on o f serj ea n ts i n th e l a w or by a n y g u ild fratern i ty or mystery corp ora te or by th e m a yor

, , , ,

an d sh eri ffs o f Lo n d o n o r a n
y oth er m a y or sh eri f or o th er chi ef o fii cer o f a n y ci ty b o rough t o wn or
, . , , , ,

po rt o f this re lm o f E n gl a n d for th e tim e bei n g durin g th a t tim e a n d fo r exec uti n g th eir o ffice or occu
a , ,

p ati ou ; n or t o an y ba dges or liveri es to b e given i n de fe n ce o f th e ki n g a n d o f this rea lm o f E n gla n d : n o r

to th e con sta bl e a n d m a rsh a l n or t o a n y o f th e m for g ivin g a n y b d ge livery or to k en fo r a n y s uch fea t f
,
a , . o
a rm s t o b e d o n e wi thi n thi s re lm ; n or to a n y o f th e w a r den s to w a rd S cotl an d fo r a n
a y livery bad g e or , .

to k en o f th em to b e given fro m T ren t n orthw rd a t such tim e o n ly a s sh a ll b e n ec es sa ry to levy p eopl e fo r a .

defenc e of th e s a id m a rsh es or a n y o f th em W e sh o uld thi n k th a t n o w a t least a coach an d four migh t

, .
”
, ,

be dr iv en th ro ugh a n act lik e thi s al th o ugh th e E a rl o f O xford could n o t esc p e ; b ut to b e sure h e was
,
a

ta k en by s urp ris e a n d e n tra pped by a p o werful an ta go n ist But s Ha lla m rem ark s ( S ta te o f E uro pe
,
.
, a ,
‘

d uri n g th e M iddl e A ges v o l iii p 2 4 i t a pp e a rs th a t fa r fro m th e s e a cts b e i n g re g rd e d i t was con

’

s id ered a s a m
, . . . , a ,
"
a rk o f re sp ect to th e ki n g
(a n d h e ci tes this letter a s a p roo f) fo r th e n obl em en an d gen try
t o m eet him wi th a s m a n y a tten da n ts i n livery a s th e y could m uster S ir J oh n P a ston wa s to p ro vide
t w en ty m
.

en i n th ei r liv ery g o wn s a n d th e D uk e f N or fo lk tw o h un dre d ,T hi s ill ustrates th e w ell kn owno .

-

s tory o f Hen ry VII a n d th e E a rl o f O x ford a n d sh o w s th e m ea n a n d o ppress ive con d uct o f th e ki n

.
, g in
th at a ffa i r which H um e h as p reten de d to j usti fy
m m
.

y mth
,

To o er , a n d to yb rother J ohn P a ston .

BR O T H E R , i t is th a t the kin g sh all com e

so u pon my L ord o f Norfolk or n ot I would ye ,
i n t o Nor fol k in h ast e a n d I wot (kn ow) n ot did th a t best were t o do ; I wo ul d do my
wheth er th a t I m
,

a y come with him or n o t ; i f lord ple as ure an d ser v ice an d so I w ould y e

I come I m ust do m
,

,
ak e a livery o f t wen ty did if I wi st (thoug ht) to be sure o f h is good
,

g ow n s which I m ust pick c ult by y our a d v ice ;

, lordship in time to come He sh all h a v e two .

a n d as for the cloth for su ch pers on s a s b e in h un d red in a livery bl ue a n d t a wn y 2 a n d ,

t h a t coun try i f it might be h a d there a t Nor

,
bl ue on the le ft s ide a n d both d ark colo urs , .
‘
wich or n o t I wot n ot ; a n d wh at perso n s I I pr a y y ou sen d me word an d yo ur a dvic e
am n ot remembered . by Jud d y o f wh a t m en a n d wh a t hor s e I c o uld ,

If m y mother h e a t C a i st er as there sh all ,

be purve y ed of if s o be th a t I m ust n ee ds ,

be n o do ub t for the keepin g of the pl a ce while come ; a n d of y o ur a d v ice in a ll thin gs by

t h e ki n g is in th a t co un tr y th a t I m
,

ay h a v e ,
writin g a n d I sh all sen d y ou h a stily other
,

t h e mo s t p a rt a t C a ister l . tidi n gs L et S orrell 3 be well kept

. .

A n d whether ye will o ffer yo ursel f t o w a i t Jon N P A S T O N , kn ig ht .

C C L XXVII —( L XXXIX vol iv p

LE T T E R . . . . .

W e fin d by th e con versation h ere given us between th e Bish op o f N or wi ch Ag n es P as ton an d Ma rgaret , ,

P a ston th a t a c n tract o f m a rri a g e h a d b een m a de b etw een M a rgery P a ston th e d a ugh ter o f th e l a tt er
, o , .

a n d R ich a r d C a ll e a n d th a t h er fa mily wi sh e d to h a v e a h e ar i n g in th e Bi s h op s C o urt e i th er to di sp ro v e

’
, .

i t o r i f pro v ed to s et i t as ide T h e y o un g l ady s beh a vi our an d th e acco un t whi ch b oth sh e a n d R ich a rd

’
.
, , , ,

C a ll e gi ve o f th e con tract s ee m to con firm it a n d o blige d th e bish op to ta k e tim e to consider o f th e m a tter

, ,

b e fore a n y sen ten ce could be pron o unce d ; th o ugh h e seemed to wish to h a v e it in h is p o wer to a dj ust th e
m atter to th e s atis facti on o f th e fa mily T h e exp ressi on s o f Mar garet P aston respectin g h er da ugh ter m
. ust
be rea d with s o m e a llo w anc e ; we m ust con strue som e o f th em as w ords o f p as s i on an d resen tm en t ari si ng ,

fro m h er a v o w a l o f h er i n ten ti on s to fulfil th e con tra ct & c [Th e bish op was still W alter L yb ert or , .
,

Hart wh o di ed in
,

To S ir J ohn P as ton , K n ig ht .

th at h e wo uld n o more do in the m atter

’
I G R E E T y ou well an d sen d y ou God s
t o uchi n g your s ister til l th a t ye a n d m
,

blessin g an d m i n e ; lett in g y ou weet th a t on y

T h ursd a y l as t was my mother an d I were ,

with m y L ord o f Norwich a n d de sired him , 9

T a w n y c ol o ur
pp ears t o h a v e b een a yell o wish
a

dusky bro wn oran g e c olo ur an d m uch w orn a t this ,

1
[”T hi s s en ten ce i s n o t cl ear erh a ps th e m ost P t im e
my m
. .

3 A h or
part a ea n th e stron ge st p arty ] . se s o call e d .

brother an d others th a t were exec ut ors to
yo ur fa ther might be here together, for they
h a d the r ule of her as well as I ; an d he sa id
pla in ly th a t he h a d bee n re qu ired so often to
ex ami n e her th a t he might n o t n or wo uld n o
,
lon ger del a y it an d ch arged me in pa in of
,
c ursin g th a t sh e sho uld n ot be deferred, b ut
th a t she sho uld appear before him the n ex t
d a y ; a n d I sa id pla i n l y th a t I wo uld n either
brin g her n or se n d her ; an d then he sa id
tha t he wo uld sen d fo r her himself, an d
cha rged th a t sh e sho uld be at her liberty to
c ome whe n he sen t for her ; a n d he sa id by
h is tro th t h a t he wo uld be a s s orry for her
a n d (z j ) she did n o t well as he wo uld be ,
and
(zf ) she were right n e a r of h is k in both
’
for my mother s sake a n d mi n e a n d other o f ,
her frien d s for he wi st well th a t her deme an
, ,
in g h a d sticked sore a t our he a rts
M y mother a n d I i n formed him th a t we
could never un dersta n d by her sayin g by n o
l an gua ge th a t ever sh e h a d t o him th a t
n either of them were bo un d to other, b ut
th a t they might choo se both ; then he sa id
,
th a t he w o uld sa y to her as well as he co uld
be fore th a t he ex a mi n ed her ; a n d so it wa s
told me by diver s person s th a t he did as well
a n d as pl a i n l y as ( i f ) she h a d bee n righ t
n e a r to him which were t oo lo n g to wri t e a t
,
thi s time here after ye sh all weet an d who
“
, ,
were la bo urers therein ; the cha n cellor 1 was
n ot so g uilty therei n as I we n d
(thought) he
h a d bee n .
O n Frida y the bishop he se n t for her by
A sh flel d a n d o ther tha t a re right s orr y o f her
demean in g an d the bi shop sa id to her righ t
,
pl ai n l y, an d put her in remembra n ce h o w
sh e was bor n, wha t k in an d frien d s th a t sh e
ha d , an d sho uld h a ve more if sh e were r uled
an d g uided a fter them ; a n d if sh e did n o t
wh a t re buke, a n d sh a me an d lo ss sho uld b e
,
to her i f sh e were n o t guided b y them a n d
2
c ause of forsa ki n g of her for an y good or
help, or com fort th a t sh e should h ave o f them ;
Dr Joh n S aresson oth erwise Wigen h ale was
1
. ,
ch a n cell or t th e bi sho p fro m 1 4 35 to 1 4 7 1 a n d h a d
o ,
o th e r ch urch pre ferm en t i n th e di ocese
2
[ A n d be th e cause o f th eir forsa ki n g 86 0 M an y
i n stan ces o f this con cise style will h ave been alrea dy
n oticed in th ese l etter s a n d was by n o m e a n s n u
co mm o n am on g o ur best write rs to a m
,
uch la ter
p eriod ]
P A S T O N L E TT E R S . 29
a n d sa id th a t he ha d he ard sa y tha t she loved
s uch on e tha t her frie n d s were n o t pleas ed
with th a t sh e sho uld h a v e , a n d there fore h e
b a de her be righ t well a d v i sed h o w sh e did
a n d sa id th a t he wo uld un d ersta n d the word s
th a t sh e h a d sa id to himwhether i t m ade
m a trimon y or n ot a n d sh e rehearsed wha t sh e
,
h a d sa id, an d sa id if those word s m a de it n ot
sure sh e sa id boldly th a t sh e wo uld m a ke it
,
surer ere th an sh e wen t t he n ce for she sa i d
,
sh e tho ugh t in her co n scie n ce sh e was bo un d
wh ats oe v er th e words were ; these lewd word s
grie v eth me an d her gran da m as m u ch a s all
,
the rem an en t ; an d then the bishop an d th e
chan cellor both sa id th a t there wa s n eith er
I n or n o frien d of hers wo uld receive (her)
A n d the n C a lle wa s ex a mi n ed apa rt by hi m
.
,
sel f th a t her word s a n d h is a ccorded a n d th e
,
. time a n d where it sho uld h a ve been do n e ;
,
a n d then the bi shop sa id tha t he s upposed
,
tha t there sho uld be foun d other th in gs
, a g a in st him tha t migh t c a use the lettin g
thereo f, an d therefore he sa id he wo uld n o t
be too h asty to give s en ten ce there upo n an d ,
sa id tha t he wo uld gi v e over d a
y till the
Wedn esda y or T hursd a y a fter M icha elm as ,
a n d so it is del a y ed ; they wo uld h a ve h a d
her will per formed i n h as te b ut the bishop
,
sa id he wo uld n o n e otherwi se th a n he h a d
sa id
I wa s with m
.
y mother a t her pl a ce whe n
sh e was ex a mi n ed
a n d when I he a rd sa
, y
wh a t her d emean in g was I ch a rged my
,
servan t s th a t sh e sho uld n ot be received i n
m y ho use : I h a d give n h er w a rn i n sh e g ,
might ha v e been a ware a fore if sh e ha d bee n
gra cio us ; a nd I sen t to on e or t wo more
th a t the y sho uld n ot recei v e her if sh e c a me ;
sh e wa s bro ught a ga i n to m y pl a ce for t o
h a v e bee n received a n d S ir Ja mes t old the m
:
th a t bro ught her tha t I ha d charged the ma l l
, ,
; an d so m
a n d sh e sho uld n ot be received
, y
L ord of Norwich h a th set her a t Roger Be st s
’
, ,
to be there til l the d a y be fore sa id G o d , .
k n oweth full evil a ga i n s t h is will a n d h is
wi fe s if they d urst do otherwi se I a msorr y
m
’
tha t they are cu yred (cum
bered or troubled )
,
with her, b ut yet I ambetter pa id ( sa t isfied )
'
,
.
, .
th a t sh e is there for t he while th an sh e h a d
been in other pla ce bec a use o f the sad n ess
,
(seriousn ess) a nd good d i spositio n of himself
a n d h is wi fe, for sh e sha ll n ot be so u d
'
0
0 0 P AS T O N LE T T E R S .

( fi su a ed
'
there t o pl ay the bre thel (f ra il there upon , an d ye should put yoursel f an d
) I pray y ou an d re quire y ou th at ye
on e ; others in gre at j eopard y for wo t it well sh e ,
ta ke it n ot p en sil y (hea vily) for I wot well , sh al l full sore repen t her lewdn ess hereaft er ,

i t goe th righ t n ea r your hea rt, a n d so doth it an d I pra y God sh e migh t so I p ray y ou .

t o min e a n d t o others b ut remember y ou, ,

’
for mi n e he ar t s e a se be ye of a g ood com
a n d s o do I , th a t we h a ve lo st of her b u t a for t in all thi n gs ; I t rus t God sh all help
'

brethel a n d set it the le ss t o hear t, for a n d

, right well an d I pray God so do in all our
,

( zf ) sh e h a d bee n good where soe v er sh e h a d

, m a tt ers ; I wo uld y e took heed if there were
been , i t sho uld n ot h av e bee n as i t is, for a n y l a bo ur m a de in the c o u rt of C an t erb ury
an d (if ) he were d ea d a t thi s hour, sh e . for the lewd m a tt er afore sa id .

sh oul d n ev er be a t mi n e hear t as sh e was . But if the d uke 1 be purveyed for, he an d

_

A s for t he di v orce th a t ye wri t e to me of I , h is wi se c ouns el sh all le ave thi s co un try ; i t

s uppo se wh a t ye me a n t but I ch a rge y ou , i s told me th at he sa ith t ha t h e will n ot sp are
upo n m y ble ss i n g th a t y e do n o t n or c a us e , t o do th at he is p urposed for n o duke in
n o n e other t o d o th a t sh o uld o ffe n d G od a n d E n gl an d God help a t n eed 2
, .

yo ur con scien ce, for a n d (if ) y e d o, or c ause Norwich b efore M ich aelmas
, ,

for t o be don e G od will take ven ge an c e

, 1 4 69 . 9 E IV . .

LE T T ER
C C L XXVIII (X C vol i v p .
-
. . . .

T h e di spute con cern i n g th e p ossessi o n o f Ca ister n o w becomi n g a m atter o f gre a t con sequen ce an d th e si ege ,

o f it be in g d etermin e d up o n by th e D uk e o f N orfol k if s o m e con cilia to ry pl an co uld n o t b e d evis ed M ar

ga ret P as ton in fo rms S ir J oh n o f th e di fferen t sch e m es pro p o sed ; th ese sh e wish es hi mth oroughly to
,

co n sider an d i f n on e sh ould b e a dopte d at all e ven ts to s ucco ur h is frien ds th ere S ir J oh n He ven in gh m

, , , . a

th ough en ga ge d a gai n st th e P sto us sh ows him sel f n ot o n ly a frien d to th em b ut a fa ithful officer to h is

a , ,

comm an der th e D uk e o f Norfolk .

T o S ir John P a s ton
,
be this delivered in ha ste .

I GR E E T well an d sen d y ou God s bl e ss

y ou ,
t ill the righ t be det ermi n ed by the l a w ; an d
’

i n g an d mi n e ; le ttin g y ou weet th at S ir J ohn m y lord for h is p a rt, an d ye for yo ur p art,

H even in gh am was at Norw ich thi s d ay an d t o fin d sufli c ien t suret y th at y ou n either
,
'

sp ake with me at my mo th er s b ut he wou ld sho uld vex let n or tro uble the sa id in d iffer

en t m
, , ,

n ot th a t i t should be un derst ood for m y lord , en t o keep pe a ce a bl y the po sse ss ion o f

h a th m a de him on e of the c a pta in s a t C a i ster the sa id pl a ce, an d to take the profits un to

of the people th a t sho uld keep th e w a t ch th e time it be determ in ed by th e l aw t o h is
a bo ut the pl a ce t h a t n o m an should succo ur behoo f th a t t he l a w d eem eth i t ; a n d the sa id
them if my lord depa rted I de sired him pers on s th a t so i n di ffere n tly keep possession
t o fa vour them i f a n y m
.
, ,

an sho uld come before their en try i n t o the sa id pl a ce to fin d ,

t o them from me or y ou, an d he would n ot a ls o su fficien t sur e ty to a n swer the p ar ty th a t

gr an t i t b ut he desired me t o wri te to y ou t o the l aw d eem eth it t o o f th e profits d urin g

un der st an d if th a t m
,

,y lord migh t be moved their possession an d to suffer him pea ce a bly ,

to fin d surety to recompens e y ou all wro n gs,

uld suffer hi m
an d
[ ]
if ye wo t o e n ter pe a ce 1 T his I s upp os e rel a tes to th e D uk e o f Norfolk
;
a bly an d the l a w after h is en tr y wo uld deem
,
th e oth er duk e m ost p rob ably m e an s e i ther th e D uk e
o f Claren ce or o f S ufiolk
'

it y ou ; be ye a dvis ed wh at an swer ye woul d 2 O n th e ba ck o f th e l etter i n an a nci n t h an d is

.

g i ve .
wri tten A L ré to S r I o P a ston fro m h is m oth er;
, . .

Item si n c e th a t I S p ake wi th him a n d the to uchi n g th e g o o d will between hir d a ugh ter M ar
a fa i th ful frie n d of o ur s c am gery P an d Ric C a ll wh o w ere after m
-
,
aryed to
seem s fro m this m
sa me d ay e
un to m
. . ,
,
g eth er I t e m oran d um t h a t th e
e a n d moved me if th a t m y lord might
con tract o f m
be i n tre a ted to suffer i n differen t m
.

arri a ge was p r o v e d a n d con fi rm ed a n d ,

en t o keep th a t in con seque n ce of i t a m a rri a ge too k place be

the pl a ce, an d t ake the profits for bo th p ar t ie s twee n th ep arties .
 P A ST O N LET T E RS .
31

t o en ter or an y in his n ame, whens oever they

, therefore in h aste ; howsoe ver ye do God
,
,
be re quired b y the p a rt y t o whom the right keep you, an d sen d y ou the victory of your
i s deemed of all the se premis es ; sen d me word e n emie s, an d give y ou an d us al l gr a ce to
how ye will be deme an ed by as good a d vice live in pea ce Wri tten on S t G il es s even ,
.
.
'

as ye can ge t an d m ake n o lon ger del a y for a t n i n e of the bell a t n igh t

, , .

they m ust n eeds ha ve h asty suc cour tha t be Robi n c ame home yester even an d he ,
i n the pl a ce, for they be sore h urt an d h a ve brought me n ei ther writin g from y ou n or ,
n on e help an d if they h a ve h asty help i t
, good an swer of this m att er which grie v eth ,
sh a ll be the grea te st worship th a t ever ye h a d me righ t ill th at I h a v e s e n t y ou so m an y ’

, .

a n d if they be n ot holpen it sh all be to messen gers a n d h a ve so feeble an swer s a g a i n .

y ou a great d isworship ; an d look n ever to

. By yo ur mo ther ,

h ave fa vour of your n eighbo urs an d frien ds M A R GA R E T P a sr ou .

b ut if (un less) thi s speed well there fore Norwich Frida y , ,

pren d (con sider) 1 i t in your mi n d an d purvey , 1 S eptemb er 1 4 69 9 E IV ,

. . .

R C C LXXIX (X C I "0 1 i v p
L ET T E . . . . .

M as ter Writtill or Wrettell th e p erso n to wh om this letter is addressed wa s a serv an t o f th e D uk e o f C la

, , ,

rence and a pp ears to ha v e been sen t do wn to en deavour a t a n acc omm o da tion b etween th e besiegers a n d the
,

besi eged duri n g th e truce which was th en taken S ir Joh n P ston h owever seem s fearfiil lest an y a p
,
. a , ,

po in tm en t sh o uld be tak e n detrim en ta l to h is i nterest th o ugh a t th e sa m e time h e w ould s ubmi t to a n y

,

thin g rather tha n th a t h is broth er s an d h is serv a n t s lives sh ould be en dan gere d J oh n D uk e o f N orfolk
’ ‘
.

cla ime d this m an or an d castl e o f Cai ster un der an a greem en t for a purch a se which h ad p asse d between him ,

a n d S i r Willi a m Y elverto n an d T h o m a s Ho wy s t wo o f S i r J oh n F as tolf s e x ecutors It does n o t a ppea r ’

.
,

that th ey could l egally con vey thi s esta te as by S ir J oh n Fa sto lf s will it h a d been le ft for char ita ble uses
, ,
'
,

[ What wa s S i r John P aston s ri ght

,

a n d to w ar ds foun di n g a n d en dowi n
g a co lleg e & c & c I t is n owh ere ’
. .
,

clearly sta ted

To M a ster Writ till .

M A ST E R W R IT T ILL, I re c ommen d me t o y ou, s ervice as sh all recompen se an y gru dge or

beseechin g y ou he artil y as min e whole trust disple as ure th at he e v er h a d or b ath t o me or
mi n e ; an d y e , if it the ra ther by yo ur wisdo m
,

i s in y ou, th a t y e do yo ur devoir to con t i nue

t r uce t ill Frid ay or S aturd ay in the mor n i n g ,
a n d polic y t h e me a n a bove writ te n m a y be

by which time I hope the messen ger sh all h a d sh all be as sure of the service of my
,

c ome, an d th a t ye be n ot driven t o t ake an true brother an d servan ts an d me as ye can

a ppoi n tmen t if ye c an un derst an d by an
y devise by m y tro th ; for in good fa ith this
likelihood th at it be a ble t o be ab y d yn z an d m atter st icke th more n igh mi n e heart a n d me
resis ted, an d tha t ye feel my brother s d is ’
th an I can wri te un t o you, an d t o m y bro ther
posi tion therein as m y trust is in y ou, prayi n g a n d s erv an t s more n e a r th an as God k n oweth , ,

y ou t o remember th a t it rest eth , a s God help they wo t of wherefore, m ast er W ritt ill al l ,

me on al l my weal ; for as God help me our wel fa re re steth in y ou beseechin g

, , , y ou to ,

I h ad lever (ra ther) the pla ce were b ren ned remember i t, for this ma t ter is t o al l us either
(burn t) my bro ther an d servan ts sa ved th an
, ,
m a kin g or m a rrin g .

the best appoi n tmen t tha t ever ye an d I com I tem as for Arblaster or L ovell I c an n o t
mun ed of should by my good will be taken if thin k th at they or an y of them m
, ,

a y be with

thi s message from the ki n g m

-
, .

ay re sc ue it ; you wherefore in you is all ; an d God h a ve

,

an d if i t be so th a t my lord be removed by y ou in keepin g .

’
the ki n g s c omm an dmen t which resteth wi th Wri tt en a t L on don , the n ex t d ay a fter yo ur
his hon o ur, I m a y in t ime t o c ome do him
,

depar ti n g ; I sha ll se n d y ou more kn owledge

’
t o morrow, wi th God s gra c e
-
.

1
[ P retend in ori gin al ; perh aps an error for p er Yo urs,
J o n »: PA S T O N , kn ig ht .
2
[ So in origin al . A b yd in is to be d elay ed Fenn
. L on don Septemb er
, .

transla tes a vo id ed .
1 1 4 69 9 E IV
. . .
32 P A ST O N L E TT E R S .

L E T T E R C C L XXX —(XCII vol iv p . .

‘

. . .

S ir J ohn P aston i n this l etter gives fu rth er direct io n s to M as ter Writtil l a n d in forms him o f what h ad p assed
between th e l or ds a n d hi m
,

at o n do n
L , se l f & c ; h e a pp e a rs lik ewis e t o rely m uch o n h is wis d o m an d
, .

discret ion .

T o M a ster Writt ill .

R IGH T worshipfu l S ir I recommen d me t o li fe an d my servan ts which ye t hi n k d oub t

, ,

th an ki n g y o u of y our gre a t l a bo ur whi c h ful i f so be tha t they l a ck stufi, shot a n d

'

y o u
victua l s ; m arvelli n g sore, an d thin k i t im
, ,
I h a ve n ot as ye t but I sh all deserv e t o my
power ; an d furthermore like y ou to weet th a t po ssible in thi s short se aso n or in fo ur t ime s ,

I h ave tho ugh t right lon g a fter yo u ; n e v er the se a son h ith ertowa rd s th a t th ey sho uld ,

th el ess I remember well th a t ye d ea lt with l a ck ei ther, w itho ut it so be th a t my lord s ’

righ t d elayo us people my lord a rchb ishop men h ave e n tered o ught (som ewha t
) the pl a ce
an d o ther o f my lord s, a n d I dempt (deem
,
,
a n d so h a d their st uff from them which I
ed
) ,
beca use of yo ur lon g ta rryin g tha t b y yo ur ca n n o t thi n k Al so , S ir for the t ime o f you r
.
,

sa d (sag e) di scretion a ll ha d bee n set thoro ugh ; comi n g to my L ord of Nor folk, servan ts of
’

n e v erthele ss I un der sta n d by yo ur writi n g my lord s were with my mother a t Norwich,

th a t m ’
y L ord o f Norfolk s co un s el thi n ke th movin g to s e n d to my bro ther her son to
th at h is i n ten t which ye cer t ified me by yo ur
, deliver the pla ce un der such a form as yo ur
w ri ti n g sho uld be more t o h is worship tha n
,
let ter speci fieth an d so I c a n n ot un dersta n d
,

the a ppoin tmen ts an d r ule m a de by th e lord s wh a t rega rd my lord s co un sel ta keth to my ’

’
o f the ki n g s co un cil which be to my sa id
’
, lo rd s letter an d t o yo ur l a bo ur in this beh al f,
L ord of Nor folk n er k y n e ( n othing h in d ) ,
b ut t h a t they o ffered as l argely afore ; y e
which appoi n t me n ts si n ce yo u r depa r tin g writeth in yo ur let ter th a t ye durst n ot p ass
ha th bee n l argely remembered a mon g the your creden ce ple a se y ou to remember t ha t
,

sa id lord s here , thi n ki n g it i n them selve s so [ you] sa id yo ur creden ce afore the lords wa s
ho n oura ble t o my L ord of Nerfol k, th a t there'
right la rge a n d as la rge as might well be in
,

sho uld n o n e o f m y lord s co uns el well a d thi s m att er both to my lord s co un sel o f ’

v i sed (ha ve) moved t o the co n tra ry . Nor folk to withdra w th e siege wit h more ,

J a m es H ob art 1 was se n t from my ( L ord ) other m a tter as ye k n ow, a n d to the j ustic e

of Nor folk hi ther a n d sp ake with my lord o f the pea ce an d to the sheri f f a n d his o fficers
, , ,
2
a rchbi shop a n d a n swer he h a d of my sa id
,
y o ur a uthority was grea t en o ug h to ea ch o f
lord a n d h ow my lord ten dered the m a tt er them .

yet a n d will ; I tro w he h a th told y ou an d Where fore, M aster W ritt ill I n ever fo r this
if he h ave n o t th e bri n ger hereof sh all i n form
, ,

n or yet will ta ke a ppoi n tme n t in thi s m a tter

y ou ; a n d he bro u ght t hi s sa me a ppoi n tmen t b ut as my lord s w ill a n d my lord a rch

from m y lord th a t my lord wa s well a greed
,
bi shop which a s well as I my self, h a v e
, ,

th a t I sho u ld oc cu py ; for my p a r t if I sho uld ,

wholly p ut o ur tr ust t o yo ur discreet d irec
take n o other a ppoi n tmen t but a ccordin g t o tion ; a n d my sa id l ord sin ce your goin g,
yo ur letter i t were h a rd fo r me a n d for my
,
thin kin g y ou as meet a m a n in exec utin
g
title to p ut my lord in th a t posse ss io n for ,
their comm a n dmen t as c o uld be chos e n ;
there is thin gs in erth e (sca rcely ) to mi n e eas e n everthele ss for ans wer t o
you a t thi s season ,
i n yo ur letter [or] good for me in th a t a p my lord a rchbi shop is n orthwa rds t owa rds
the ki n g ; howbeit it is sa id, upo n a m
,

poin tmen t, sa v i n g the sure ty of m y brother s

'

eetin g
,

with my L ord o f Cl a ren ce my lord sha ll

1 T hi s m o st p roba bly was Jam es Ho ba rt w h o , in ,
return a ga i n ; a n d as ye ster eve n he sen t a .

1 4 7 8 , w as L en t rea der i o l s In n a n d in 1 4 8 7 s erv a n t o f h is to me wee n i n g to h is lord ship

’
-
a t L n c n ,
,
attorn ey g en era l He died in 1 5 1 6 a n d lies buri ed i
( h s lordsh i thin kin
g) th t S i H u mphrey 3
an d
-

p a r
. ,

i n N orwich Ca th e dral ; fro m him th e p resen t Earl

o f B uc ki n gh a m shire i s li n ea lly d e scen d ed
m
.

2
G eo rge N evile was transla te d fro E x eter to 3 S irH umph rey T al b ot was a capta i n at this
Y ork i n l 4 64 . s i ege un d er th e D uke o f N or fo lk
, .
 34 ETTER SP AST O N L .

TTE L E R C C L XXXI —(X CIII vol

iv p . . . . .

My rea ders I m a ke n o d oub t will b e equa lly pl ea se d with mysel f in ha vin g so auth en ti c an accoun t o f th e
man n ers o f the tim
,

es placed b efore th e m wh erein a dispute d title to an esta te is n ot con tested in th e ,

court s of l aw b ut by a regula r an d w ell con ducte d s i ege l a id to th e castl e claim e d by th e b esi cgers
, i .

E very w arli k e p rep a ra t i on i s m ad e by both p arti e s a n d th e assa ul t a n d d e fen ce i s carri e d o n wi th th e

greatest mili ta ry s kill T h e n umber o f th e b esi e gers i s sai d by Blom
,

. efield to ha v e a m oun te d to th re e
th o usan d while th e n umber o f th ose wh o defen de d th e pla ce did n ot e xcee d thirt y p erson s ; a p ro of o f th e
stre n gt h o f th e fo rt ress attac k e d which with thi s h a n d ful o f m
,

, en h eld o ut so m e ti m e
, T h e a n xi ety o f , .

M argaret P as ton for th e s afety o f h er s on an d h is comp an i on s i n terests a s in h er fa v our a n d h er a dvi ce to ,

S ir J o h n to apply to th e E a rl o f O xfor d fo r h i s as si stan ce to ra i se th e si e g e t h o ugh i f a tten de d wi th , ,

m
s uccess h e sh o uld e n j oy th e m an or of C ai ster fo r h i s li fe i s a cur
,
i ous ci rcum stan ce an d throw s ligh t upo n , ,

th e an n ers an d p olitics o f th e t imes [T hi s w as in fact a leg a l p roceedi n g ; an d e v en at p resen t as w e

.
,

h a v e before rem a rke d th e h oldin g or acquir i n g p o"ssess ion o f p re mi ses by force i s by n o m ean s un frequen t
, .

D isse is in or forcibl e disp ossess i on o f freeh olds say s H a lla m M iddl e Ages v ol m ak es o n e o f ’

If a m
, , , .
”
th e m ost con siderabl e articles i n o ur law b oo k s He a lso a dds i n a n ote a n was dis se i s e d o f
.

h is l a n d h e migh t en ter up o n th e di sse is or an d re in state him se l f with o ut co urse o f l a w

, In wh a t ca ses .

thi s righ t o f en try was ta k en a wa y or to ll ed as i t was e xpre ss e d by the dea th or a li en a ti on o f th e d is

, , ,

s e i so r i s a subj ect e xten s iv e en ou gh to occupy t w o ch a pters o f L i ttl eto n

, Wha t p erta in s t o o ur i n qui ry i s .
,

t hat by a n en t y in th e o ld la w b oo ks w e m ust un dersta n d a n a ctua l rep ossessi o n of th e di sse isee n ot a

s ui t i n ej ectm
,
r -
, ,

en t a s i t i s n o w i n terprete d b ut which i s a co mparat ively m o dern p ro ceed in T h e fi rst

rem e dy sa ys B ri tton o f th e disse isee is to coll ect a b o dy o f h is fri en ds (recoiller a mys et forcefia n d with
, ,

, , ,

o ut d el a y to cas t o ut th e di sse i s ors or at l e as t to m a i n ta i n him s e lf i n p o s se ss i o n al on g with th e m —c 44

, . .

T his en t ry ought i n dee d by 5 Ric I I sta t i c 8 to be m a de p ea ce a bly a n d the j ustices migh t as se mbl e
, . . . . ,

th e p osse comita tus to imp ri son p erson s en ter in g o n lan ds by vi o len ce ( 1 5 Ric IL cap 2) b ut th ese l aw s
im
. , .

ply th e facts th a t m a de th em n ecessary T h e l aw a s far as regards freeh olds i s n ow ra ther m o difi ed than
”

th e en try m ust b e m a de p eaceably —an d a s th e l aw h as n ow m ore vigour an y o p en breach o f

. , ,

a ltere d
”

th e p ublic p eac e i s n o lon ger p ermi tte d an d th e en try i s usually m

, , ,

a de by a forcibl e surp ri se
, E v en .

a s re g ar d s l eas eh old or ye arly te n a n ci e s i t w as on ly by th e 1 8c 2 Vi ctor i a 0 7 4 th a t m a g is trates w ere e m

‘

.
, , ,

p o were d to giv e p ossessi on to lan d lords o f p remi ses o f n o t m ore than 2 0 5 a yea r ren t wh ere th e ten a n t .
-

refused to give up p o ssessi on Un roo fin g th e h ouse sto ppi n g th e chim n eys an d oth er m ean s w ere
. , ,

occas i on a lly resorte d to in or der to ej ect a re fr actory ten an t In th e ca se o f C a i ster th e r ight o n e i th er .

,

s ide a pp e ars v ery d o ub tful S ir J o h n P as to n h eld i t as executorlto S ir J Fastol f b ut from th e co mplai n ts

o f Ho wys W orcest er th e Abb ot o f L a n gl e y an d oth ers i t w ould seem
. .

, , h e was v ery dilatory in fulfilli n g

. ,

th e directi on s o f the will a n d in fact was treatin g it as h is own property O n th e oth er h a n d Yelv erton
, , , .
,

a n d Howy s so ld it to N or folk pro ba bly un der th e prete x t o f p ayi n g th e b equests o f th e wi ll or a t l eas t

, ,

th e ir own ; b ut th e a ct of th ese tw o e xecutors o n ly co uld cl ea rly co n vey n o le g al ti tle T h at th e se pro .

c eed in gs w ere custo m a ry a n d con sid ere d n ot ill e g a l accoun ts a lso for th e a b sen ce o f a n y erson al an i
mosity T h e D uk e o f Norfolk s p arty wcll kn e w th at J P astou co uld n ever be con victed o {th e murder
, ,
’
. -
.
,

with which h e was ac cuse d b ut th e ch ar ge w ould ta k e an active opp on en t o ut o f th ei r way ; whil e J

, .

P a st on equa lly a ware o f th e rea l state o f th e ca se w o uld n o t there by b e p re v en te d fro m ta kin g s ervi ce
. ,

un der th e D uk e ]
T o S ir J ohn P a ston ,K n ig ht
marv ell eth gre atly th at ye sufler themt o be
.

'

I G R E E T y ou well, lett i n g y ou wee t th a t y our

bro ther a n d hi s fellowship st an d in grea t s o lo n g in so gre a t jeop ardy wi tho ut help or

j eopardy at C a ister, a n d l a ck vic tuals, an d o ther remedy .

Da b u
1
d Ber e y 2
be dea d, an d divers T h e d uke h a th bee n more ferve n tl y set
m
e n ey a n n

[ ieter in ed ] thereupon , an d more cruel, sin ce

i
o ther gre a tl y h urt ; an d they fa il gun powder
a n d arrows, an d the pl a ce (is ) sore broke n t at W rittill my L ord of Cl aren ce s m an wa s ,
’

Wi th gun s of the o ther p a rty so th a t b ut

»
there th a n he was be fore : an d he h a th sen t
, ,

f or all h is t e n an ts from every pl a c e

( u n less
) t hey h a ve h as t y help the y be l ike to an d ,

lose bo th their lives an d the pl a ce to the o thers t o be there a t C a i ster on T h ursda y

, ,

g re a t est reb uk e to y ou th at ever c a me t o a n y n ex t c omi n g th a t there is then like to be th e

gen tlem an for every an i n thi s coun try m great est m ul ti tude of people tha t c ame there
,

m
,

y e t ; an d the y p urpo se then t o ake a gre a t

1 J o hn Da ub en e wh o se dea th i s h ere
y E sq
men tion ed was a gen tlem an o f a goo d fa mil y in the an d other pl a ces by the sea s side th at with
assaul t for the y h a ve sen t for gun s t o L y n n
.
, ,

,
, ’
co un ty o f N orfolk . , ,
2 O sb ert B ern ey th e oth er p erson h ere m en ti on e d their gre a t m ul t i t ude of guns wi th o ther sho t
m
,

as d e a d was n ot kill ed a t thi s s i eg e : h e surviv e d

,
a n d or d n an ce, there sh a ll n o an d a re a ppea r ,

an d di e d with o ut i ssue s o m e y ea r s a fter wh en h e wa s

i n the pl a ce, they sh a ll hold them so b us y
,

buri ed in Brade ton Ch urch in Nor o lk th ere be in g

a b rass pla te in th e ch a n cel to hi s m
-
s f
em ory
,

wi th their great (n u ber qf ) people th at i t

. m ‘
 P AST O N LETT E RS. 35

s h al l n ot lie in their power withi n to hold i t lord archbishop t o my L ord of O x ford ,

a g a i n st them witho ut God help them or (t hey ) other letters to rescue them for thwith tho ugh
h a ve h ast y succo ur fro my ou ; there fore as
,

,
the sa id E arl of O x ford should h a v e the pla ce
ye will h a ve m y ble ssin g, I charge y o u an d durin g h is n fe for h is l a bour ; spa re n ot thi s to
req uire y ou tha t y e see y our brother h e holpen be do n e in h aste if y e will h a ve their live s, an d
i n h as te an d if ye c an h a ve n on e me an ra ther
,
be set b y (esteem ed
) in Norfolk tho ugh y e ,

desire writin g from my L ord of Cl aren ce if sho uld lo se the be st m an or of a l l for t he

resc use rescue]
he be a t L on don , or el se of my L ord Arch [ I h ad lever (r a ther ) ye lo st
.

bi shop o f York, to the D uke of Norfolk, th at the liv elihood th a n their lives ; y e m ust get a .

h e w ill gran t them th a t be in the pla ce messe n ger of the lords or some o ther n ot a ble
man , t o bri n g the se letters ; do your devoir
,

their li v e s an d their goods, an d in e schewi n g o f

n o w an d le t me se n d
i n surrection s with other i n con ven ien ces th a t , you n o more me sse n gers
be like to gro w within the shire of Norfolk, for thi s m atter b ut se n d m e by the be ar er
thi s troublo us werd (t um
,

ultuous world ) b e ,
hereo f more certa in comfor t th an ye h a ve don e
c a use of such con ve n ticles a n d ga therin gs b y all other th a t I h a ve sen t before in an y
w ithi n the sa id sh ire for c ause of the sa i d
,
wi se let the letters tha t shall come t o the
pla ce they sh a ll suffer him t o en ter upo n
,
E a rl of O x ford c ome with the le tt ers tha t
,

such a ppoi n tme n t or other like ta ken b y the sh a ll come to the D uke of Norfolk th a t i f he

will n ot a gree t o t he on e th a t y e m
, ,

a d v ice of y o ur c o un sel there a t L o n do n if ye ay h a ve ,

thin k thi s be n ot good t ill the l aw h a th

,
rea dy y our rescuse t ha t i t n eed n o more t o
determi n ed o therwi se an d let him write
,
se n d, there fore God keep y ou .

a n other letter to y our brother to deliver the

Written the T u esday n ex t before H oly
pl a ce up on the same a ppoin tmen t ; an d if Rood d ay, in h aste .

y e thi n k, a s I c an suppo se, th at the D uke o f

Norfolk will n ot a gree t o thi s bec a use he By your m o ther,
gran ted thi s a fore an d they in the pl a ce
,
MA RG A R E T PA S T O N
would n ot a ccept i t then I wo uld t he sa id
, N o rw ich T uesday , ,

messe n ger sho uld with the sa id le tters brin g 1 2th o f S epte mb er ,

1 4 69 9 E IV
from the sa id L ord of Cl a re n c e, or else my . . .

LE T TE R CC L XXXII — (XCIV vol iv p . . . .

S ir J ohn P aston h ere seem s h urt a t h is m other s susp ecti n g h i mo f n o t e xerti n g him sel f to th e utm o st i n
.

'

en dea v o urin g e ith er t o acco mm o da te m a tte rs o r to a ssist h is brother a n d fri en ds within th e plac e He
sh o w s hims e lf l ik ewi s e b oth a m
, .

an o f spiri t i n co mi n g with a few t o th eir reli e f i f h e h a d a pl a ce i n N orfo l k

f r th eir recepti on a n d of feeli n g fo r th e di stress o f th ose sh ut up in h is cas tl e a t C a i s ter [ We d o n o t doubt
th at S ir Jo h n P a ston was a m
o , .

a n o f courag e a n d o f fee lin g ; b ut thi s i s b ut a slight p roo f o f e i th er

p artic u ,

l a rl y as h e n eith er ca m e n o r sen t an y effectiv e assi stan ce He does n ot in fact appe ar to attach m uch
. , ,

imp ortance to h is mother s n ews ] ’

To M a rg a ret P a ston .

MfO T HE R , upo n S at urda y l ast was Daub en ey time I hope of a good direc t ion [tha t] shall b e
an d Bern e y were alive an d merr y an d I sup h a d ; a n d where as y e write to me th a t I shoul d
po se there c a me n o m
,

a n out of the pl a ce to
, sue for le tters from my L ord s of Cl a ren ce a n d

y ou s in ce th at time th a t could h a ve as oer York they be n ot here, an d i f the y wrote to

ta in ed to y ou o f their de aths ; a n d as touchi n g
the fiercen ess o f the D uke or o f h is people ,
showed sin ce th a t t ime th a t Writtill dep ar ted ,
I trow it wa s con cl uded th at truce an d a bsti
,
him a s they ha v e don e two times, I trow i t
woul d n ot a v a il ; an d as for to l a bo ur tho se
letters an d the res cue t ogether, they be t wo
sun dr y thin gs for when the re s c u e is re ady,
,

n en ce of wa r sho uld be h a d ere he dep arted

,
th a t th e co st thereof is don e for i f I be dri v e n ,

which sh all en d ure till M on d a y n ex t comi n g ; theret o t o rescue it ere they come there th a t ,

an d b y th a t time I trow th a t tr uce sh a ll be sho uld d o it it sh a ll co st a tho usan d escuty s,

,
’
ta ken till th at d ay sev n n igh t after, by which a n d a s m uch a fter, which way were h ard for
n 2
36
. P AS T O N LET T E RS .

me t o take while tha t I m ay do i t o therwi se my a be his salv at io n ; where fore I bes eech 1
b ut as t o say th at they sh all be rescu ed if all y ou t o s e n d me word wh a t mo n ey a n d m en
the l an ds th at I h a v e in E n gl an d an d frien ds y e thin k th a t I amlike to get in th a t coun try ;
may do i t, the y sh all an d (if ) God be frien dl y for th e h a st y p urch as e of money a n d m en

a n d th a t as shortl y as i t m
,

ay goodl y an d well sh a ll be the ge tt i n g an d re sc u e of it a n d the ,

’
be bro ught a bo ut ; an d the gre at est de fa ul t sa lva t ion of mo st men s live s, i f we ta ke th a t
ea rthl y is mon e y a n d some frien ds an d n eigh wa y .

bours to help, wherefore I be seech you t o sen d Also this d ay I purpose t o sen d t o York t o
the ki n g for a thin g which same o n l y m
,

me comfor t with wh at mon e y y e could fin d ,

ay

t h e me an s to ge t or chevi se (borrow up on ln by likelihood be the sal v a tion of all ye m ust

t erest ) u po n suret y sufficien t or u po n liveli
,
remember th a t the rescu e of it is the l as t
hood to be in mortga ge or ye t sold, an d wh a t remed y o f all, a n d how i t is n ot easy to get ; .

people by likelihood y our frien ds an d min e a n d a l so ye se n d me word th a t I sho uld n ot

c o ul d m ake u pon a short w a rn i n g a n d t o sen d, come home without th a t I come stro n g b ut ,

me word in al l the h ast e a s i t is n eedful b ut , i f I h a d h a d on e o ther stron g pl a ce in Norfolk

mother I feel b y yo ur wri t in g th a t y e deem
,
t o ha ve come to tho ugh I h a d bro ugh t right
,

i n me I sho uld n ot do my devoir (end ea vour )

’
few wit h me I sho uld with God s gra ce h a ve
,

W itho ut ye wrote to me s ome he a vy tidin gs , rescued i t by thi s t ime or else he sho uld h a v e ,

a n d mo ther, i f I h a d n eed t o be q uicke n ed been fa in t o h a ve besieged bo th pl a ces ere

y et an d (if ) the duke h a d n ot kep t Ya rm
,

w i th a letter in thi s n eed I were of m y sel f t oo ,

outh
slow a fello w ; b ut, mother I e ns ure ( a ss ure)
, out : b ut mother I beseech y ou sen d me
, ,

y ou t h a t I h a ve he a rd t en times worse tidi n g s some mon ey for by m y tro t h I h a v e b ut t en

,

s in ce the s iege began t h an a n y letter th a t y e shilli n gs ; I wo t n ot where to h ave more ; a n d

wm te to me an d s ometime s I h a v e he ard
,
moreover I h ave been ten t ime s in like c ase,
righ t good t idi n g s both ; b ut this I a ssure or worse within this ten week s
,
.

y ou th at the y th a t be withi n h a ve n o worse I sen t t o Rich a rd C alle for mon ey b ut he ,

rest th an I h a ve n or c asteth more jeop ard y

, se n deth me n on e ; I be see c h y ou to gu ide the

b ut whether I h a d good tidi n gs or ill I ta ke , e v iden ce th a t P e a cock can tell y ou o f, an d

God to witn ess th a t I ha v e don e m y de v oir
,
t o see it sa fe for it is t old me th at Rich ard
,

a s I wo uld be don e for i n c ase like, a n d sh all C alle h ath b a d right l a rge l an g ua ge of them ;
do t ill there be an en d of it . I would n ot they come in h is fi n gers I h ave
I h a ve sen t to the kin g to York a n d t o the n o word from y ou of them , n or whether ye

lords an d hope to h a v e an swer from themb y

,

,
h a ve y et i n you r keepi n g the eviden ce of
W edn esday a t the furthest a n d after th a t , E as t Beckh a m out of h is h an ds n or whether ,

a n s wer sh all I be r uled an d then sen d y o u

,
ye h a ve sen t t o m y m an ors tha t the y sho ul d
word, for till th a t time can I ta ke n on e di n ot p ay him n o m ore mon ey or n ot ; al s o th a t
rection ; a n d t o en com fort y ou de sp a ir y ou
, it like y ou t o give creden ce t o Robin in o ther
n ot for l a ck of v ic t u al s n or o f gun pow d er , thi n gs .

n or be n ot too he a v y n or t oo merry there fore ; Written the Frid a y n ext a fter H oly Rood d ay .

for a n d (if ) he a v i n e ss or sorro w wo uld h a ve J O HN PA S T O N , kn ig ht .

been the remedy thereof I kn ew n ever m atter

,
L on don Frida y , ,

1 5 th o f S eptember
i n my life t h at I could h a v e bee n so he av y ,

’ 1 4 69 9 E IV
o r s orr y for a n d with Go d s gr a ce i t sh a ll
. .

be remedied well en ough for b y m y troth I

, 1 T o igin a l w ord in thi s a n d s om e s imila r cases
he r

is sa va cion —
,
h ad le v er (ra ther) lose the m an or of C a i st er
,

a better w ord fo r th e p urp ose th o ugh

.

th an the simplest m an s life therein i f th a t

'

lon g obsolete ]
 P A ST O N L E T T E R S . 37

LE T T E R CC LXXXIII (X CV vol iv p
'

-
. . . . .

T hi s l etter i s w ri tten by S ir J oh n P a stOn to h is broth er J oh n P a ston to en co urag e him to h old o ut C ai ster

,

C a stl e as l on g as h e h as h op es o f relief : h e tell s him o f th e goo d O pin i o n which i s en tertai n e d of the co urag e
an d co n d uct o f tho se in th e place b ut th at th ose wh o b e s ie g e i t are m en ti on e d in a v ery di fferen t m an n er T h e
, .

l ett er is curious an d written in a styl e to give both spirits an d h op e to th e besieged

, .

T o John P a ston , a n d t o n one other .

I R E C O MM E N D me to you an d promi se y ou
,
y e n or n o n e with you, b ut an d (if ) he k n ew ,

tha t I h a v e a nd sh all la bo ur an d fin d th e wha t is gen er all y reported of him he or y e,

a n d God for tun e you well m m
,

mean th a t y e sh all h a ve hon o ur of y o u r de al a y thi n k h i ,

i n g as ye h a ve h ith ert owa rd s as al l E n gl an d fo ur time s be tt er in reputa tio n of all folk th an

an d e v er y m a n d moreover I a m
, ,

an re orteth
p ever he was .

i n way for it b y m an y di v er s wa y s whereo f ,

Bew a re whom ye m ake a c oun sel t o this
there sh all be on e exec uted b y thi s d a y fort m a tter
Al so I let you wee t th a t I amin m uch
.

n ight a t the furthe st an d per a dve n ture withi n

seven d a y s ; a n d i f y e m more com fort of y ou than I m

, ,

a y keep it so lo n g a y write an d
,

n ot fro m
I wo uld be glad, an d after th a t i f ye ha v e
me other writin g tha t then ye do
therei n for y o ur safeg ua rd a n d y our fellow
,
the y tha t be a bo ut y ou h a v e c ause to be
more ferde (afra id ) th an ye h ave ; an d a lso
beware of spen din g of yo ur stuff of quarrel s
ship on ly an d to y o ur wor ships ; a n d as for
(squa re hea ded a rrows), powder an d ston e
-

the pla ce n o force therefore ; y e kn ow thi s

, (s ton e bullets) so th at i f the y as sault y ou ere
,

h an d there fore n eedeth n o me n tion from

,
we come th a t y e ha ve st uff t o defen d y ou of
whom it cometh ; a n d moreover they th at be o v er, an d then of m y li fe y e get n o more ; a n d
a bo u t y ou be in oblo u y o f all m en ; an d th a t y o ur fellow ship be ever occupied in re
q
moreo v er they h a ve been writte n t o b y a s n e wi n g o f y o ur stuff .

speci a l writi n g as might be, a fter the world Written the M on day n ex t a fter H oly Rood
’
th a t n ow is an d promi se y ou th a t the D uke s
,
d ay .

co un sel wo uld th a t the y h a d n ever begun it ; I trow tho ugh ye be n ot pri v y theret o ther e
, ,
’
an d moreover they be ch arged in pa i n o f is ta ken a tr uce n ew till thi s d a y sev n n igh t .

their lives th a t tho ugh the y get the pl a ce the y Mon day 1 sth o f S e ptem
, b er ,
sho uld n ot h urt on e of y ou ; there is n either 1 4 69 9 E IV. . .

LE T T E R CC L XXXIV —(XCVI vol iv p . . . . .

T hi s w ell w ri tten l etter o f M a rg aret P a sto n t o S ir J oh n P a ston giv es us a high o pin i on o f h er goo d sen se an d
-

pruden t con duct ; sh e i s j ustly di spleas ed with him for suppo si n g th a t sh e sho uld kn owi n gly sen d him false
i n formati on : the goo d ad vice sh e gives him flows fro m her o wn relian ce up on Go d an d fro m h er k n o w ,

ledge o t m an ki n d ; sh e l m en ts h er o wn i n a bility to assis t him with m on ey a n d reco mmen ds p roper

metho ds for the in crea se of h is livelihoo d
’

a ,

mt
.

T o S ir John P a ston in ha ste . a a re.

I GR E E T well, an d sen d y o u God s bless

y ou
’
Remember you ye h a ve h a d two grea t,

i n g an d mi n e, letti n g y ou weet tha t me lo sses within thi s twelvemo n th of him an d of

thi n k by the letter th a t ye sen t me b y Robi n S ir T hom as God visiteth y ou a s it ple aseth
.

th a t ye thi n k th at I should write t o you him in sun dr y wi se s : he wo uld y e should

fable s a n d im a gin a tion s b ut I do n ot so I
, ,
kn o w him an d serve him b ett er th an y e h av e

m
h a ve wri tt en as i t have been i n formed me ,
don e before thi s time an d then he will sen d ,

an d will do : it was told me th a t both Da u y ou the ore gra ce to do well in all other
’
b en e y an d Bern e y were dea d ; b ut for certa i n thin gs ; an d for God s lo v e remember it right
Daub en ey i s dead God a ssoil his soul ! well a n d t ake it p atien tl y, an d than k G od
whereof I amright s orr y an d it h a d ple ased
, ,

, o f h is vi s ita tio n ; a n d if a n y thi n g h a ve been

God th a t i t migh t ha ve been otherwi se . a mi ss, an y othe rwi se th a n it o u gh t t o h a ve

 8 P A ST O N LETT E RS .

been before this, ei ther in p ride or in l avish for pledge s ; an d

min e own liveli as for
hood I a mso s imply pa i d t hereof th at I fe a r
, n or

expen se s, or i n an y o ther thin g th at ha ve ,

o ffen ded God a men d i t an d pra y him of h is

, , me I sha ll be fa in to borrow for mysel f or
gra ce an d help an d in ten d well t o God an d
, el se t o break up h ousehold ; or bo th .

t o your n eighbours ; an d though yo ur power A s for the y iel di n g of t he pla c e at C a ist er,
herea fter be t o a c quit [requite] them of their I t row Writ till h ath t old of th e p awn tem en ts
m ali c e, ye t be mer c iful t o them , an d God (app oin tm en t s
) how i t is delivered I woul d .

s h all se n d y ou the more gra ce to h a ve yo ur t h a t h ad been so ere this t ime, an d then there
i n te n t in other thi n gs I remember t hese . should n ot h a ve bee n don e so mickl e h urt a s
c l ause s be c aus e of the l as t le t ter tha t ye s en t there is in divers w a ys, for m an y of our well
me I h ave sen t to Harr y H alman , of S porle
.
,
willers a re p ut t o loss for our sakes an d I ,

t o help to ge t as ye desired me an d he
'

,
fe a r m e i t sh all be lon g ere i t be re c ompe nsed
c an n o t ge t past five or eigh t a t the most an d ,
a ga i n a n d th a t sh all c aus e o thers t o do th e
,

yet i t will n ot be b ut if (un less) he c ome less for us hereafter .

t h a t [they] ye trus t upon t h a t sho uld c ome ,

I wo uld ye should (sen d) yo ur brother
for they lon g (belong ) a p ar t t o him ; an d
'

word, an d s ome other th at ye trus t, to see t o

Rich ard S harm an h a th assa y ed on h is p art y o ur o wn liveli hood t o set i t in a rule, an d
t o g a ther t hereo f th a t m
,

a n d he c an n o t ge t p ast five ; for those th a t ay be h a d in h ast e ;

’
lon g t o us, they lon g a l so t o o ur a dversaries an d a l s o of S ir J oh n Fastol f s li velihood th a t
may be gathered in peac eable wise for as for
,

an d they h a ve bee n des ired by them an d , ,

they wo uld n ough t do for them, an d there Rich a rd C all e he will n o more g a ther i t b ut
fore they t hi n k t o h a ve m a gery (q m i f (un less) y e c omm an d him , an d he wo uld
m
an a e
g .

1
en t
) of the o ther p art . fai n m ake h is a ccoun t an d h a ve yo ur goo d ,

A s for the gen tlem an th a t ye de sired me t o m as tership as i t is told me, an d deliver th e

,

S pe a k with , I sp ak e wi th h is wi fe, an d sh e eviden c e of Be ckh a m a n d all o ther thi n gs

t old me h e was n ot in thi s co un try n or th a t lon geth t o y ou, th a t he trusteth th at y e
n o ugh t wi st when he should be here ; a n d as will be hi s good m aster herea fter ; an d he
for th e o ther m he h as bough t him a sa ith h e wi l l n ot take n o n e n ew m as t er til l y e

h ol m
an

l ivery 2 in Brom
,

priory, an d h a ve given refus e h is service

Remember th a t yo ur li velihood m
.

up the w orld & c ay b e

s et in su ch a rule th a t ye m
.
,

Item , a s for m on ey I c oul d ge t b ut ten a y k n ow h ow i t

poun ds upon pledges an d th at i s spen t for i s an d wh at is owen to y ou for by my fa i th

yo ur m a tters here for p ayin g of yo ur m I h ave holpen as m uch a s I m
, , ,

,
en ay an d more,

th a t were a t C a ister, an d other thin gs, an d I s avi n g my sel f, an d there fore take heed ere i t

w o t n ot where to get n on e n either for surety ,

be worse .

1
[We d o n ot k n ow th e w or d m a ge y b ut i t r
T his le tt er was begun on Frida y was
’
en se o f n eutra li ty—th e services sev n ni gh t an d en ded thi s d ay n ex t after
,

s ee m s used i n th e s ,

o f th e ten a n t ry a re cl a im e d by b oth p arti es

‘

an d ,
M ich a elm as d ay God keep y ou an d give
.
,
h a i n g refuse d to do augh t for the o n e p a rt they
v ,
y ou gr a ce t o do a s well as I wo uld ye did ,
hi n k i t righ t to h old a n e utrali ty as to th e oth er p ar t ] an d I ch a rge
2 I t w as us ual i n th e se tim es f r p er o n s gro wi n g
o s y ou bew are th a t ye set n o l a n d
i n to years to p rocure by p urc h ase or gi ft a retrea t i n t o mor tga ge, for if an y a dvise y ou theret o they
s o m e religi o us s oc i ety wh ere gi vi n g u
, p a ll con cern
, a re n ot y our frien d s ; bewar e be t ime s min e
i n w orldly m atters th e y p as se d th e rem a i n d er o f
,
a dvice & c : I trow yo ur bro ther w ill give
.

th e i r tim e i n p rayer an d con fessi on : so m e did i t to

,

fi n i sh a pure a n d un p otted li fe in a pl ace set a part

s y ou tidi n g s in h ast e .

for religi on wh ere th e y sh ould b e free fro m e v ery

,
M A R GA R E T PA S T O N .

w orldly en ga gem en t ; oth ers un derto o k it a s an B egun Friday 22n d o f S ep te mber

, ,

a ton e m e n t fo r th ei r for m er e vi l deed s with a h op e en ded S aturda y 30th S eptember

“

, , ,

that it migh t in s ure th eir etern a l w el fare . 1 4 69 9 E IV

. . .
 P AS T O N LE T T E R S . 39

R C C L XXXV ( CXVII vol i v p

L E T TE . . . . .

T h is is th e o n ly l etter w ritten to th e b es i eg ers whi ch a pp e a rs i n thi s co ll ecti o n a n d th e wri ter o f thi s can n o t ,

b e a scertai n e d : h e seem s ho we ver to b e a w ell wish er to th e P a ston s b wh at he s ys i n h is l etter o f th e

-
y a

opin i on of th e l ords o n this busi n ess wh o likewise appear fav ourable to th e m He s eem s t o hin t that
, ,
th e extremity to which thi n gs are carri e d is m ore th e fault o f th ese ca pta in s to wh o m th e lett er is addressed
than th at of th e D uke of N or fo lk wh o is n oted s o wel l dis p osed
,
“
.
”

( )
To S ir J ohn Hevengha mTh m
1
o as Gilber t Deben ha m l V lli mB3 /
'

ra n don 4 a n d ever

m
z a
, , y
the s ev era ll in others a bsen ce
( f y .

IT i s th a t a ccordi n g t o such d irect ion a s c on tin u ed un to time o f the return of m

moved t o be desired of my lords bei n g
so , y
was sa id lords or el s e k n owledge of their in t e n t

certify i n g y ou for tr uth th a t there be m

, ;
here as for su ch as here be, the y m arvel greatl y es
thereo f thi nkin g an d rememberin g in them
,
sen gers s en t un to m y sa id lord s with letters

o f such a n swer a s I h a d of
'

selve s th a t such o fier a s was m a de b y m y cre y ou an d yo u r

den ce to m y lord, a n d tofore y ou reported , desire together kn owi n g certa i n l y that there
,

s hould h a v e so un ded more t o h is ple asure a n d sh all be h ast y rel a tion o f their i n t e n ts i n th e

ho n our th an this h is d esire ; n evertheless m y premise s ; which an swers y e sh all h a v e a t

lords thin k where as they wrote an d desired furthe st b y M on da y cometh sev n n ig h t
’
.
,

j oi n tly th a t su ch creden ce a s ye remember , , F urthermore letti n g y ou weet th a t I u nder

migh t be ob ser v ed a n d t ake n , an d by y ou re st a n d for cert a i n th a t my lord s th a t be her e

fu sed ; n ow if they should assen t to the de sire e sche w, for s uch i n co n ven ien ce th at migh t
o f thi s direc t ion , it i s tho u ght in them n ot s o fa ll, to con cl ude an y an swer b y them selves,
'

t o do for it is so fortun ed th a t divers of m y

,
con siderin g th a t m y creden ce was g iv en b y
lord s, from whom I brou gh t both Writin g an d a l l the lord s pra y i n g y ou as sh all be d o n e
, ,
’
c reden ce be a t the kin g s high comm an dmen t t o the c on tin uan ce of thi s truce a foresa id,
th at I m
,

h as til y depa rted un to h is highn e s s ; tr ustin g ay be ascert a i n ed ; or if a t thi s ho u r

i n God to h ave he a ri n g in brie f time of their y e co uld ye t thin k m y crede n ce re a son a ble
h asty a ga in c omin g at which time m y lor d s ,
a n d hon our a ble t o be a ccept ed a n d t a ken
,
tha t here be, an d they th a t sh all come a ga i n ,
s e n d me word in wri t i n g from
you by my
sh all comm un e an d spea k t ogether of thi s serv a n t, bri n ger of thi s al l del a y s l a id a p a r t
;,

des ire an d direction an d such answer a s the y for I as certa i n [a ssure] y ou as he tha t owe you
service I was an d yet a m
,

give an d m ake sh all be sen t un to y ou then gre a tl y bl a med for

m y lon g tarr y in g with y ou for divers of m
,

wi th h aste possible O ver thi s me th in keth

-

.
y ,

for y ou r excuse of b urde n an d ch arge su ch ,

lords ta rried here for me by the a sse n t of al l ,

a s I he a r will be l a id un to y ou con cer ni n g my lord s lon ger th an they wo uld h a ve don e

, ,
t he grea t work s th a t d a il y be an d are at the t o kn o w my an swer an d guidin g from y ou ;
m an or o f C a i ster if ye thi n k th a t God sho uld
,
a n d over thi s I certi fy y ou th a t y e c an n ot

h ave pleasure, an d al so the ki n g our so v e m ake m y lords here t o thin k th a t if there b e

reign lord an d th at m y sa id lords should
,
in con ve n ien ce or mi schie f m urder or m an ,

thin k in you good a dvice or sad , an d th a t sl a u ghter h a d or don e b ut an d ( if) y our

, ,

y e i n ten ded to a void the sheddi n g of Chri s wills an d in ten ts w ere t o the con trar y my ,

ti an blood an d the destruct ion of the kin g s lord is n oted so well dispos ed th a t w i tho u t
’

liege people th a t a t y our politic l a bour an d

,
your gre a t a betme n t be n either w ill do n or
w is dom y e might brin g my lord t o the as se n t to n o n e such thi n g ; pra y in g y ou ,

a b stin e n c e of war an d a tr uce to be h a d a n d

, there fore, as y ou r frie n d, to remember well
1 S ir J oh n Heven in gham k n ight an d ban n eret , , of R b ert or Sir John W in gfiel d o f Lether in gh a m
S ir o , ,

w as a descen d an t o f an an ci en t fa mily s itua ted a t th e lk

i n S uffo .

town s o f Heven i n gh a m i n S uffo lk ; h is s on T homas

, Gilbert Deben h a m kn igh t was desc en ded
3 S ir
, ,

beca m e own er o f th e esta te at Ketterin gha m i n N o r , ci en t family i n th e co un ty o f S uffo lk

o f an a n .

fo lk where thi s family con tin ue d for se veral g en era

,
4 Willi am Bra n don m a rr i ed E li zabeth da ugh ter
S ir ,

ti on s R bert Win gfiel d a n d was a n cestor to Charles

o f S ir o ,

2 S ir T h o m a s Win field was a yo un er son e ith er

.

g g Bran don a fterwards D uke o f S uffol k

, .
40 P A ST O N LE T T E R S .

yo ur sel f, an d so to r ule you as my lord s '

ta ke n to efiect the n I pra y y ou th a t my

may h a ve in time to c ome kn owledge O f s erv an t bri n ger hereo f
, ,
,

a y h a ve sure c on m
yo ur more sa d (g ra ve) di spo si tio n th a n as ye t d uct t o spe a k with J oh n Pasto n , an d t o
I feel they thi nk in y ou ; a n d how tha t my report t o him these direc tions, an d upo n th at
lords n o t e some O f you, Ja me s H ob ar t, bein g to deliver him a bill cer tifyi n g t he same .
’
o f my lord s co un s el ca n i n form
’
, y ou, where Lo n d o n
fore for God s sake remember y ou an d
,

, S e p te mber, 1 4 6 9 .

deliver my servan t, an d if ye thi n k my fi rst 9 E IV . .

creden c e or this a dvertisemen t sh all be

LE T T E R C C L XXXVI —( XXVIII vol 1 1 p . . . .

"
T hi s l etter i s en dorse d i n an an ci en t ha n d T h e D uk e o f Nor d L r e upo n h is en tri e i n to C a i ster A E
’ °

T hi s i s giv en to sh o w th e reg l styl e used by th e n o bility o f th ese tim es In Bl o m

. .

4 . a efield s H i sto ry .
’

O f N or fo lk v ol . v p 1 5 5 2 a p articula r ac co un t o f th e s iege of Ca i ster C as tl e is given with th e na m es

. .
, ,

o f th e p r i n ci p a l p ers o n s en g age d o n b oth s ide s T h e m ar k O f th e s ign et rem a i ns b ut th e impress i on is de

.
,

face d . I t is lik e wi se sign ed with th e D uk e s own h a n d ’

.

T HE D U K E o r N O R F O LK .

W H E R E ( 4 S ) J oh n P a ston E squire an d o ther an d h a rn ess a n d other goods bein g i n th e

.
, , ,

diverse person s h a ve a gai nst the pe a ce kept keepin g of the sai d J oh n P aston ; ex cept
, ,

the m an or of C a i ster w ith force a ga in st the gun s cro ss bow s a n d quarrel s, a n d all other
will an d i n ten t of us th e D uke o f Nor folk t o h ostl em a r like i m em
-

, , ,

en ts
(w p l en ts
) t o t he sa id

o ur gre a t di sple as ure ; wh ich n o twithsta n di n g m a n or a n n exed an d belo n gin g ; an d to h ave

,

a t the con templ a tio n of the writi n g o f the fi ftee n da y s respite after their sa id depart i n g
mo st wor shipful an d re v eren d father in God o ut to go i n to wh a t pl a ce sh a ll like t hem ,

th e C a rdin a l o f E n gl a n d an d our mo st tr usty

,
without an y ac tions or quarrel t o be take n or
a n d e n tirel y belo v ed un cle the Archbi shop o f
-
m a de by u s or i n o ur n ame t o them or an y of
C an terb ury the right n oble pri n ce m y Lord o f them, within our fr an chise or W ithout, duri n g
,

Cl are n ce a n d other lords o f o ur blood an d the sa id t ime

, , .

a l s o a t the gre a t l a bo u r a n d i n st a n ce o f our Given un der o ur s ign e t a t Y a rmouth the

most clea r a n d sin g ul a r belo v ed w i fe we be 26 th d ay of S eptember, the 9 th ye ar of K i n g
-

a greed th a t the s a id J oh n P aston a n d h is E dw ard the IV h ‘

,

sa id fellow ship , bei n g i n the sa id m an or ,

N O R F O LK .

sh a ll depar t an d go out o f the sa id m an or

Yarm outh ,

w ithout del a y a n d m ake thereo f deliver an ce T uesda y 2 sth o f S ep te mber

, ,

t o su ch per son s as we w ill assign the sa id 1 4 6 9 9 E IV . . .

,

fellow ship h avi n g their live s an d goods, horse

L E T T E R CC L X XX VII —
(X CVIII vol iv p . . . . .

C a i st er yielded J P . . .

O n rea din g thi s l etter n o o n e can wi thh o ld th e p ra i se d ue to J oh n P a ston a s a bra ve s ol d i er a n d a ki n d a nd

gen erous m as ter a n d a t th e sa m e tim e wi shi n g th a t h e a n d h is comp an i on s h a d been a bl e to h a ve k ep t
,

p ossessi on o f C a i ster : th e n oble m a n n er i n which h e S p ea k s o f h i s co mp an i on s i n terests us b oth in h is an d

th ei r fa v our ; th ese are th e s a m e fo ur soldiers th a t h i s broth er S ir J oh n h a d so p arti cula rly reco mm en de d
to him i n h i s l etter d ate d N o v e mb er 9 1 4 68 , .

To S ir J ohn P a ston , Kn ight .

R I G HT worshipful S ir, I recommen d me un to ter Joh n Ch apm an ca n t ell you

,

y ou ; an d as for t h e cert a i n ty of the deliver were e n forced there to as well as

42 P AS T O N LE T T E R S .

th a t m on ey th at I h a d of my mo ther which , y ou in al l
h as te, or el se a n d (if) ye sen d for
i s abo ut an eigh t po un d ; God a men d de faul ts , me I sh all bri n g them wi th m e S en d my .

b ut thi s I w a rran t y ou, without th a t i t be m o ther a n d me w ord who ye will th at (sha ll )

M a tthew whi c h y e sen t word b y J ohn T hresher h a ve the r ule of yo ur li v elihood here in this
tha t y e woul d h a ve t o aw a i t on y o u there is coun a n d i n wh a t form tha t i t sh all be

m
,

no an th a t was hired for the t ime of thi s de alt with I will n ot m ake me m as terfas t
.

s iege th a t wi l l ask y ou a pen n y . with my L ord of Norfolk n or with n on e other

Also, I pr a y y ou sen d down a comm an d till I speak w ith y ou ; an d ye thi n k i t be to
me n t to S tutev yll e or to s ome a udit or, to
, be do n e ge t me a m aster .

t a ke a cco un ts of Da ub en ey s bills for h is ’

, D e al cour teo usly with the queen an d tha t
exec utors are s ore c alled u pon for t o a dmi fellow ship an d with mi stre ss An n e Hawt e
,

n i ster by th e bi shop, or els e h e sa ith th a t he for wa p py sl t ill I spe ak wi th y ou Wri tten .

w ill sequester ; Da ub en ey set in h is debt s on S t Fa ith s eve n

.
’
.

th at ye owed him t welve poun ds an d ten shil J O H N P a sr on '

.

lin gs ; whether i t be so or n ot h is bill s of h is B y S a i n t George I an d my fellowship

o wn b an d s will n ot lie for he m a de h is bill s sta n d in fe a r of my L ord O f N orfol k s m
’
, en for ,

c le a r or the n
(befor e) the s iege c a me a bo ut we be th re a ten ed sore n o tw iths tan din g the ,

us . A s for the eviden ce of Beckh am , m y safeg ua rds th a t m y fellow ship h a ve ; as for

m other s e n t t o C al le for them , an d he sen t me I h a ve n on e n or n on e of your hous ehold

men , n or n on e will h ave ; i t were shame i"t o
,

her word th a t he wo uld m ake h is a ccoun ts

an d deliver th e evide n ce an d a ll t oge ther . take i t .

M y m other h a th sen t t o him a ga in for them T h urs da y 5 O cto b er , ,

this d ay ; if sh e speed they sh all be sen t t o 1 4 69 . 9 E IV . .

LE T T E R C C L XXXIX — (C vol iv p . . . . .

T wo mh
en vin g been kil l e d dur in g th e s i ege a t Cai ster th e D uk e o f N orfolk s coun se l in stigate th eir wido ws
a ,
’

t o lo dg e a n app eal for th e m urder a g ai n st J oh n P as to n an d oth ers A n ap p eal is a n a ccus ati on of a m urderer
.

by a p ers on who h ad i n terest in th e p erson killed a s th e wi fe h ad i n terest i n the life o f h er h usban d an d m us t

, ,

b e brough t wi thi n a y ear an d d a y a ft er th e factco mmi tte d ; an d i n thi s app eal o f de ath th e ki n g ca n n o t p a rdon
the defen dan t Th e latter p art o f this l etter con ta in s L atin B ench an d E n gli sh by which w e m ay j udge h o w
libera lly J P aston h ad been e ducate d He s eem s likewi se mg oo d S piri ts tho ugh threaten e d wi th this a pp eal
. , ,

.
. .

[ T h e app eal in ca ses o f m urder is n o w a bo lish ed ] .

T o Zia/[ a ster S ir J ohn P a ston

,
K n ight .

R I GH T wor shipf ul S ir I recommen d me t o lord for yours elf th an ye do , an d therefore

c ; it is s o th a t thi s d ay there c am
,

u & e a the y do the worse to me for y o ur s ake

good fellow to me which m
y o ,
. .

a y n ot be d is Item as for my comin g up t o L on don so

God help me, a n d (if ) I m
, ,

c overed a n d le t me weet th a t m y L ord of

,
a y choo se I come

Nor folk 8 coun sel h a th thi s Chri stm a s gotten n ot there for a rgen t me fa ut, witho ut a n a
t , p
th e t wo w i d ow s who se h usb a n d s were sl a in
. , pe a l or an in kyr (q in quiry ) of some speci a l .

a t the s iege of C a i ster a n d h a ve them bo un den m a tters o f y o urs c ause it I tem I pra y y ou
i n a gre a t sum th a t the y sha ll su e an a ppe al remember C ala is for I a mput out of wa ge s in
.
, ,

a ga i ns t me a n d su ch as were there w ith me thi s coun tr y .

wi thi n th e pl a ce an d the y be bo un d al so th a t Item I pra y y ou sen d me so me tidi n gs how

the y sh all rele ase n o m the world goe th a d c on forta n d um s toma ch um
, ,

an w ithi n t he a ppe al .

n amed t ill su ch t ime a s my L ord of Nor folk

w ill licen se them

1 T h s i e xp ressi on for wa p p ys
”
I do n o t un der
.
t d
s an
Item the c aus e is th is a s i t is t old me
.

, , 2 J P as tou s h on our a n d co ura ge are app aren t

.
’

by divers, th at y e m ake n o more suit to my fro m h is thi n king a sa fe guard sh a m e ful .

 '

P A S T O N L E T T E RS .
43

I t em ye m ust purvey a n ew a ttorn e y in

, _ th a t will do for me till be tter pe a c e be .

thi s coun try a s for me for our m a tters an d , Written thi s S a t urd ay a t Norwich .

cl amour is too grea t a n d our purse an d wi t J O HN P A ST O N .

too slen der ; b ut I will rub on as lon g as I t rday

Sa u
‘

may both with min e own an d other mean s

,

Dece mb er or Jan uary , 1 4 69 . 9 E . IV .

R CCX C —
LE T T E (CI vol iv p. . . . .

A s thi s lettercon tain s a v a ri ety o f m atter I h a v e give n i t to th e rea der T h e barg a i n wi th th e archbi sh o p was
.

I s upp o se rela tive to the e xp en ses a tten di n g th e probate of the will & c I t seem s extra ordin a ry th a t th e N or
, .

folk fami ly sh o uld sp ea k fa v o ura bly o f J P a ston a n d yet p urs ue th e app eal a ga i n st him fo r m urder
. , His .

device t o i n terrup t the k eepi n g of th e court a t S axth orp deserv es n otice a n d sh o ws th e plai n de ali n g o f ,

th e times
To m
.

y rig ht worshipf ul brother, S ir J ohn P a ston , K n ig ht, be this delivered .

R I GH T wor ship ful S ir, I recommen d me to I sh all have the fa ire st h arn ess t ha t I c an
y ou in m y best wi se L iketh i t y ou t o wee t
. b uy in L on don for s ilver, b ut mon e y c an I
th a t I h a ve thi s d ay delivered y o ur m an tle ,
n on e ge t .

your ray gown 1 an d your cross bow s with

,
-
I c an n o t ye t m ake my pea c e wi th my L ord
t el ers an d W i n dlas s, an d yo ur Norm an d y bill, o f Nor folk n or my l a dy by n o me an s y et every

t o Kerby to brin g with him t o L on don

,
. man t elleth m e tha t my la d y saith p assin gly ,

I t em i n an y wi se an d (if ) ye can a sk the

, ,
well of me a lwa y s ; n ot with stan di n g I tro w
’
probate of my fa ther s will to be given y ou th a t the y w ill s ue the a ppe al thi s term yet
there is n o m
,

with the ba rga in tha t ye m ake wi th m y L ord an of us i n dicted b ut i f un less

( )
of C an ter bury an d I can thi n k th a t y e m
,

ay it were don e a fore the coron ers ere then we

h a ve i t ; an d as soou as i t is proved y e or I m
,

c a me o ut of the pl a ce ; there is n ow b ut three

m
ay

h a v e a letter of a dmin i stra tion upon the same, en in it, an d the bri d ge s a lw a y s dra wn .

a n d an a c qu i ttan ce of my lord c a rdin a l e v en N O m ore b ut God l at y ou min e her ” Wri t

, .

forthwith an d thi s were on e ofthe be st ba rga in s t en th e T ue sda y n ex t after S a in t Agn e s t he _

th at ye m a de thi s two ye ar I assure y ou an d first 3

he m
J O HN PA S T O N
.

ay m ak e y ou a c quitt a n ce , or ge t y ou on e
.

of th e Bi shop of W in che st er for S ir J oh n F as I tem , yest erday W Go rn a y en tered in t o .

’
t ol f s goods al so an d in my re as on t his were
,
S a xth orp a n d there was b e keepi n g of a
,

ligh t t o be brough t a bout with the same b ar co urt an d h a d the ten an ts a ttorn ed to him ;
,

g a i n ; a n d (if ) y e purpo se to b a rga i n with b ut ere the co u rt was a ll do n e I c a me thither

him ye h a d n eed t o hi e y ou for i t i s told me with a m an with me an d n o more an d there

before h ima n d all his fellowship G a y n e

, , ,

th a t m y L ord of Nor folk w ill e n ter i n t o i t

Bom
, ,

h ast ily an d if he so do it is the worse fo r y ou

,
'
,
sted , & c I ch a rged the ten an ts th a t they
.

an d it will c a use them t o p rofler the less sho uld proceed n o further in their co ur t u pon

s ilver . pa i n th a t migh t fall of it ; an d t he y letted for

Item I pra y y ou sen d me some secre t
,
a se as on b ut they saw th a t I was n ot a ble
,

t idi n gs of the likelihood of the world by the to m ake my party good a n d so they proceeded ,

n ext me ssen ger th at cometh be tween th a t

I m
,

ay be either merrier or el se m ore s orry

tha n I a m an d al so th a t I m
2 e t ce
T hi s s n en to ee e
I wi sh h av xpl a in d
t e mt
,

a y g uide me
.

, t t e rt
3 T h e fes iv a l O f S t A g n es h fi s (an d h os
.

t hereafter . no te t et o e t t e , r
d of h w ) wa s k p o n h 2 1 5 1: of Jan ua y ;
Item a s for S ir Rober t W in gfiel d I can
, ,
co e t t e t e e o t
h er s e n d f s iva l wa s on h 28 th o f h sa m m n h ,
get n o ten poun ds of him b ut he sa ith th a t c t e o e
whi h i is to b b serv d was n o t ht e oct e av o f th e
, r er t ct e t o
fo m , b ut a di s i n ere t occ o
f a s up n a di ff n a si n ,
t et e r t
an d i i s so m t t
im s w i ten A gn etis N a ivi a s b ut
1 ean s a gown m
T his m a d e o f cl oth th at w as n e v er t co t r e ro t
i was On a c un of a mi ac l w ugh a t h er to mb
e ith er coloured or d yed . t tt ec e t t t te
h a his s on d f as wa s i n s i u d .
44 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

fi n th er
'
tha t, a n d sa t me down by the
I sa w th at there was n o pe a cea ble c o urt kept, an d
st ew ard an d blo t ted h is book with my fi n ger so they sa id they wo uld
as he wro t e, so th a t al l the ten a n ts afii rm
, .

ed
T ue sda y
2 3 J an uary 1 4 69—
,
th at the co ur t was i n terr up t ed b y me as in
'

70 9 E IV
, . . .

your righ t, an d I reque sted them t o record

LET TE R C CXCI —(CII vol iv p . . . . .

T hi s l etter sh ows th e m
ean s th at w ere la boured by th e en emies o f th e P astous to prosecute thi s a pp eal .

To J ohn P a ston , Esq , be this delivered . .

’
I GR E E T well a n d sen d y ou God s ble ss
y ou Al so I pray you spea k to P l ayters th a t there
may be foun d a mean th2at the sheri ff or th e
,

i n g an d mi n e ; letti n g y ou weet th a t the

wom an th a t sueth the a ppeal 1 a ga i n st your ga therer of the green wa x m ay be di sch a rged
brother a n d h is m
-

en is c ome to L on don t o of c erta i n i ssue s t h a t ran up on Fastol f for

c all there upon , an d when th a t sh e should Ma ry ot s m a tte r for the b a ili ff was a t him
’

c ome to L o n don there was delivered her a n thi s week, a n d sho uld h ave di st ra in ed him ,

h un dred shill in gs for t o sue with so th a t by , , b ut t ha t he promi sed him th at he sho ul d

th a t I he a r in this coun try sh e w ill n ot le a v e
,
w ithin thi s eigh t d a y s l a bo ur the me ans th a t
i t, b ut th a t sh e sh al l c all there upon (a t) su ch he sho uld be di sch a rged, or else he m ust c on
t ime a s sh all be t o yo ur mo st reb uke b ut if t en t him & c ,
.

(un less) ye l ay the better w a t ch ; sh e h ath

,
Al so I sen d y ou by the bearer hereo f closed
evil co uns el a n d th a t will see y ou grea tly in thi s le tter fi v e sh illi n gs of gold a n d pr a y
y ) an d th a t y e m
, , , '

u tt ered (out ed or d isp la ed ay

y ou to b uy me a sug ar lo af an d da te s a n d
a lmo n d s, an d se n d i t m
-

, , ,

u n dersta n d b y the mo n e y th at was ta ke n her e home an d if y e ,

(g iven her) when sh e c a me up, an d ye sho uld bew are (la y out) an y more mon ey, when y e
fin d it I k n ow it well i f the y might ha ve y ou
, , come home I sh all p ay i t y ou a ga i n ; the
a t a dvan t a ge ; therefore for God s sa ke m a ke
’
H oly Gho st keep y ou both, an d deliver you o f
diligen t sea rch by the a dvi c e o f yo ur co un sel ,
yo ur e n emies Written on S a in t Agas
.

t ha t there be n o n egligen ce in y ou in this ’

(A g a tha s) d a y in h aste .

m atter n or o ther for de faul t of la bo ur, a n d Item I pra y y ou speak t o M ast er Roger
,

c all upon y o ur bro ther a n d tell him th a t I , for m y syr u p ;

3
for I h a d n ever more n eed
’
sen d him God s ble ss i n g an d mi n e a n d de thereo f, an d se n d i t me as h ast ily as ye can .
,
s ire him th a t he will n ow a while while he B
ltI
,

h ath the lords at h is i n ten t th at he seek the ,

A R GA R E T PA ST O N .

mean s t o m ake a n en d of his m a tters for his ,

Mon day
e n emie s a re gre a tl y coura ged n ow of l a t e ; sth o f F eb r ua ry
,

, 1 4 69 7 0 .-
9 E . IV .

wh a t is the c ause I k n ow n o t .

LE T T E R C C X C Il .
—(XXIX vol ii p . . . .

J oh n de V ere E a rl of O xford reta i n in g h is l oya l ty to th e House o f L an caster in who se cause h is fa th er an d

elder broth er h a d l o st th eir h e a ds up o n th e sc ffold i n 1 4 6 1 2 an d fo r wh o se sak e h e h i m
, . ,

a sel f h a d s uffere d
-
,

a lon g imp ri son m en t seem s n w p r ivately to b e p rep ari n g to j o in th e E a r l o f W a r wi c k 1 11 fa v o ur o f th e

‘

,
o

dep ose d K in g Hen ry I sh o uld s upp ose thi s l etter to h a ve b een wr itten ei th er in J uly 1 4 69 a t th e ti m e
. , ,
 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .
45
tha t th e E a rl o f Warwick a n d h is a dh eren ts were m e dita tin g th e pl a n for deth ron in g E dwar d or i n 1 4 7 0 , ,

wh en th ey h a d om e to a re s ol uti on o f rein sta tin g Hen ry on th ethron e T h e order to S ir J o hn P as ton for

c

p ro vidin g th e h orse h arn ess was to b e exec uted a s i t w re fo h im

.
,

a n d the referri n g him to th e

”
self e r
-

, , ,

C oun tess for m"on ey sh o w s it to be a t a tim e wh en h is fi nan ces were v ery l ow T h e e xp ress i on Yet sh e
must borrow it implies too tha t h is l a dy h a d n ot a lrea dy the m on ey b ut tha t sh e h ad i t still to procure
, .

T h o ugh th e E arl des ired th a t h i s h orse h a m

, , .

ess might b e o f th e sam e price wi th o n e which L ord Ha stin gs

-

h a d p urch a s ed y et h e w i s he d i t n ot to b e like h is ; th e rea s on seem s to b e h e did n o t ch oose t o a pp ea r

, ,

wi th ca p a ris n s simil ar to thos e o f a Yor ki st T h e words I trust to Go d w e sh a ll do right well refer to

o .
”

s o m e sche m e then in a ita t i on ; a n d on th e success o f whi ch h e h a d place d grea t co n fid en ce

g .

T o S ir John P a s t on
,
K n ig ht .

R I GHT worshipful an d m y e sp eci al true ,

for the same price b ut I wo uld n ot mi n e ,

he arted frien d I commen d me un to y ou , , were like h is : a n d I tr us t t o God we shall

pr a y in g y ou to orda in (order f or) me three do righ t well who preser v e y ou Written
, .

”
,

horses h ar n e ss a s goo d ly as ye an d G en yns a t C an terb ury in h as te the 1 8th d ay of ,

c an devi s e a s it were for y o ur sel f ; a n d th a t I J uly
may ha v e them in all h as te order ; a lso
.

O X YN FO R D
S kemsa ith ye wo uld ord a in t wo sta n dard
.

sta ves ; thi s I pr a y y ou t o remember an d ,

m y wi fe sh a ll deliver y ou s ilver an d yet sh e ,

m ust borrow it S ix or se v en po un ds I wo uld

bestow on a horse h a rn ess ; a n d so S kemtold
.

me I migh t ha ve T h e L ord H asti n gs h a d .

R CCXCIII — (X X X vol 1 1 p
LE T T E . . . . .

T hi s letter wa s written i n F ebrua ry or M a rch 1 4 6 9 1 4 7 0 or 1 47 1 fo r in th ese y ea rs civil di ssen t i on s w ere on

T h e ca uti on resp ectin g t idi n gs a n d th e un certa i n ty o f wh a t m
, , ,

foot .
, a y b e fall sh ow s th a t thi s l etter wa s ,

wr itten dur i n g s o m e co n v uls i o n o f th e sta te By th e E a rl o f W a rwic k s b ei n g supp o s ed t o g o wi th th e ki n g

’
.

i n to L in coln shire i t a pp ears as i f thi s letter was writte n dur ing th e resto rati on of Hen ry VI an d th a t th e i r
, .
,

go i n g there wa s to O pp ose E dw a r d s return ’

.

T o J ohn P a ston , E squire, being at N orwich, be this letter d elivered .

I COMM E N D me t o y ou le tt in g you weet , ,

Item I pray y ou spe ak with H arcour t “ of
,

&c .
(Here f ollows a n a ccoun t qf bills, a n d the a bbey, for a little clock which I sen t ,

r eceip ts &c o f n o consequen ce )

,
. . him by Jame s Gresh a m to me n d a n d th a t ,

I tem as for M i stre ss Ka theri n e D udley I

,
ye wo ul d ge t i t of him an d (if ) it be rea dy, ,

h ave m an y time s recommen ded you t o her , an d s en d i t me ; an d as for mon ey for his

a n d sh e is n othi n g di sple as ed with it ; sh e l abour h e h a th an other clock of m in e which

, ,

rekky th e n ot h ow m an y gen tlemen love her S ir T hom as L y n de s, God h a ve h is s oul !

gave me ; he m
,

sh e is full of love ; I h a ve b etyn (enf orced) a y keep t h a t t ill I

p ay him ; ’
the ma tter for you your un kn owled ge (with ,
this clock is my lord archbishop s b ut l et ,

out
your kn owledg e) a s I t ol d her ; sh e n ot him wee t of i t, a n d th a t it
(be) e asily
a n swered me th a t sh e wo uld (ha v e) n o on e ca rried hi ther by your a dvice .

thi s t wo years a n d I believe her : for I thin k

, Also as for oran ges I sh all sen d y ou a
sh e h a th the li fe th a t sh e can hold her co n t en t serteyn by the n ex t c a rrier a n d as for tidi n gs ,

wi th I trow sh e will be a sore l abourin g

. the bearer hereof sh all in form y ou ; ye m ust
wom an this two years for the meed of her give creden c e t o him .

soul .

A n d M i stre ss G ryseacress is sure t o S ele n ger

D uk e of E xeter an d in 1 4 62 h ad p os sess ion of h is
,

forfe i ted estates a n d re m ain e d with h er b ro ther

S h e a fierwa rds m arri ed S ir T h o m
1 ,

S t Leg er ) , with my L a dy o fE xe ter a fo ul

(
,
.
, E dward IV . as

S t Leger a n d di ed i n 1 4 7 5
2 T hi s sh o w s th a t o ur curi ous m
oss. .
,
.

ech an ic l arts
were practi sed in th e religi ous h ouses and p erform
a

ed
there by th e m on k s & c for m
e daugh ter o f Rich ard D uk e of Y ork an d
K ing E dw ar d “ L m
A nn , , ,

s s itr
e of a rr i e d Hen ry Ho lla n d
, ,
o n ey , . .
46 P AS T O N L E T T E R S .

A s for my good speed, I hope w ell , I a m an h an dful , an d lower th an my li ttle T omby

ofiered y e t t o h a ve M i stress A n n e Ha wte, an d the shoul ders, a n d more littl e a bove h is p a p
‘

I sh al l h ave help en o ugh as some sa y an d he ha th , as he sa id t o t he kin g himsel f

m
.
,

(Here f ollows a n a ccoun t of so e disp utes three or four children , (son s) e a ch on e of

between S ir PVillia m
Yelverton , a n d S ir J ohn them as hi gh an d as likely as the ki n g himself
P as ton , his un cle PVillia , &c , of n o con m a n d he is legged righ t e n o ugh

m
. .

quen ce ) Item I pra y y ou sho w or re a d t o my

mh lf i
se .
, ,

I t em i t is so th a t I a
,
a n p urpo se t o other, such thin gs as ye thin k are for her to
c ome home wi thi n a mo n th here after or a bo ut ,
k n ow a fter yo ur di scretio n ; a n d to le t her
M id l en t or be fore E aster un der yo ur cor
, ,
u n ders ta n d of the a rt icle of the tre a ty be tween
re ct io n , if so be th a t ye deem th a t my mother S ir Willi a m Yelvert o n an d m e .

woul d help m e to my co sts, ten m arks I tem m y L ord o f W a rwick, as i t is sup

,

( 6 l 1 38 4 d ) or therea bo uts I pra y y ou posed sh a ll go wi th the ki n g i n to L in c ol n

shire ; s ome m
. . .
,
.

feel her di spos itio n an d sen d me w ord . en say th a t h is go in g sh all do

I t em I c an n ot t ell you wh a t will fall o f

,
good, a n d some say tha t i t do th h arm .

the world for the kin g verily is di spo sed t o I pra y y ou ever ha ve an eye t o C a ist er,
go i n to L i n col n shire a n d m
,

en wo t n ot wh a t
,
to k n o w the r ule there an d sen d me word, ,

will fall thereo f n or there after they ween ,

a n d whether my wi se lord a n d my l a dy be
,
1
my L ord o f Nor folk sh all bri n g ye t o tted po n i t (as f on f i ) as they
d t
m
a s s u o

en . were ; an d whether my sa id lord resorteth

I tem, there is come a n ew little T urk , thither as often as he d i d or n ot ; an d of the
which i s a well vi saged fellow of the a ge o f
-
dispo sitio n of the co un try .

for ty ye ars a n d he is lower th an M an uel by J O H N P A S T O N , kn ig ht .

LE T T E R C CX CIV — (XXXI vol . . . ii . p .

T hi s l etter fro m G eorge Nevil e Archbi sh op o f York an d broth er to Rich ar d E arl o f W a rwick m ust h av e
, , , ,

b een written e ith er wh en h e wa s in o pp ositi on to E dw ar d i n con j un cti on with h is broth e r th e ;E ar l o f

W arwick or after h is return fro m h is impri on m en t abro a d n o t lon g b e fore h is death wh e n i t i s prob abl e
h e foun d i t di ffic ul t to ra ise e v en a sm a l l sumof m
s
, ,

on ey Geor ge N evi l e was con secrate d Bi sh op o f E x eter

.

in 1 4 5 5 wh en h e w as n o t co mpl etely tw en ty years of a g e

, In 1 4 6 0 h e was a pp o i n te d L or d Ch a n cellor an d
.
,

i n 1 4 6 6 a dv an ced to th e Archbish o p ric o f Yor k In 1 4 7 0 h e h a d th e custo dy o f E dwar d IV wh en tak e n

. .

p r i son er by th e E arl o f Warwick an d di e d in 1 4 7 6 aet 4 1

, , . .

To m
y ri
g ht trusty an d well beloved S ir J ohn P a ston
-
.

IHs . God who h ave you in h is pro tec tion an d

,

R I GH T trusty an d well beloved I gree t y ou ,

k eepin g .

heart il y well an d sen d y ou by T hom as yo ur

,
Written in the m an or of the M oor 2 th e 7 th ,

ch ild 201 pray i n g y ou to spare me as for

. d ay of M ay G E BO R A C
. . .

an y more a t thi s t ime , an d to hold y ou

c o n ten t with the sa me a s m y sin gul a r trust ,

i s i n y ou ; an d I sh a ll w ith in brie f time

orda i n an d purvey for y ou such a s sh all be
un t o your pleasure wi th the gra c e of Almight y

T h e Moor , i n Hertfordshi re ,
7 th o f May Betwee n 1 4 66 a n d 1 4 7 6,
.

1
[ Besotted up on or ab o ut i t ] ’
2 In Hertfordshire , a s ae t of th e Archbi sh op s.
 P A ST O N L E TT E R S . 47

CCXCV — (XX X II vol ii p

LET T E R . . . . .

T h is l etter was wr itten a sh ort tim e a fter th e b a ttl e o f S ta m ford where in E dw ar d was victo ri o us h a vi n g , ,

sl a i n a n d dis p ers e d th e force s comm a n d e d by S ir Rob ert W ell es wh o i n thi s en ga g e m en t h a d fo ug h t m os t ,

furi o usly ; b e in g e x as p era te d a t th e r ece n t dea th o f h is fa th er th e L or d Well es We a re h ere acqua i n te d .

w ith th e m o v em en ts o f th e ki n g fter h i victo ry a n d with so m e o f th e e xecuti o n s which too k pl a ce by h is

“

a s ,

order on th ose wh o h a d opp ose d him [ A fter th e qua rrel o f E dw a d IV with Wa rwick h is rul e b eca m e
.
r .

m uch m ore severe an d sa n guin ary th an i t h a d b een A proof tha t th e p revi ous m o dera ti on was owing as
.
,

i t is usually asserted to the counsels o f Warwick )

To m
.
,

c ousin J ohn P a ston

y ,
.

T HE ki n g c a me t o Gran th am a n d there tar help ,

a n d su cco u r o f the L ord S ta n le y 6
; b ut
ried T hursd a y 1 all d ay an d there wa s headed in con cl us io n there they h a d little fa vo ur, a s
it was i n formed the ki n g ; a n d so m
,

S ir T hom as Del al a un d e an d on e Joh n N eill e

the y we n t westward, an d some m en dee m
en sa y
,

a gre a t c a p ta i n ; an d upo n t he M 2
o d y n ext
n a to
a fter th a t a t D o n c aster , an d there w as he a ded L on don .

S ir Robert Welle s an d an other gre at c apta i n ; A n d wh en the ki n g he a rd the y were de

an d then the kin g b a d word th a t the D uke of pa r ted a n d go n e he wen t t o York, a n d c ame ,
7 n ext a fter a n d there
’

Cl aren ce a n d the E arl of W arwick w as a t thi ther the T h u r sd a y ,

E as terfield 8 t wen ty mile s from D o n cas t er a n d

’

,
c ame i n to him al l the gen tleme n of the shire ;
y (he) m a de Perc y
8
upo n th e T ue s da y , a t n i n e of the h ell the
4 an d u po n ou r L ,
a d y d a -

ki n g t ook the field an d m ustered h is people ;

,
E arl of Northumberl an d, a n d he th a t was
e rl a fore M a r qu i s M o n ta g ue ; an d so the
9
an d i t was s a id th a t (there) were n ever ee a

i n E n gl an d so m an y goodly m
s n
,

en an d so well kin g is purposed t o come so uthw ard ; God

a rr a y ed i n a field a n d my lord 5
w a s wor s e n d him good s peed
;
.

ship full y a ccomp a n ied n o lord there so well ; Written the 27 th d ay of M a rch
where fore the kin g ga ve m
.

,
1°
y lord a gre at
F O R T R U T H .

th an k .

A n d than (when ) the D uke of Claren ce

an d the E arl of W a rwick he ard th a t the kin g
was comi n g t o th em ward i n con tin e n t (im m ,
e
a s is w .

d ia tely) the y departed an d we n t to M a n ,

chest er in L an cas hire, hopin g t o h ave h a d

LE T T ER vol iv p c c xc v r— (c n r . . . . .

I h a v e giv en thi s letter a s n o t o nly con ta i n i n g a ca se o f l aw b ut to sh o w th e ste s ta k en by th e D uk e o f

Norfolk s coun se l to h a ras s a n d d i stress S ir J oh n P as ton a n d h is p arty for th e ea th o f two m
,

en wh o I
’
,

p resum e were sh ot by th ose i n th e pl ace dur in g th e sie g e o f Ca i ster I t a pp ea rs fro m thi s a n d som e oth er
, .

lett ers i n this collecti on th a t th e T o wnshe n d th erei n m en ti on ed wa s a la wyer I t is th erefore m ost p ro

, .

b able th a t th e p erson wa s Roger T own sh en d o f L i n coln s In n a fterw rds a serj ean t at la w a nd by Rich a rd
,
’
, a - -

III a ppo i n te d on e o f th e j udges o f th e Co mm on P leas i n which imp orta n t office h e wa s con tin ued b v Hen ry
. ,

V II a n d kn igh ted His secon d son J oh n (th e i ssue o f th e eld er b e in g e xti n ct) was an cesto r to th ep resen t
most n obl e the M arquis T own shen d of Ra inh am in Norfolk
. .

m St m
, .
,

T o S ir J ohn P a s t on
,
K n ight , or t o T ho p as a s
,
to deliver t o the sa id S ir J ohn .

R I GH T worshipful S ir, an d my speci a l good m uch a s I c an n ot sen d y ou good t idin gs ye

brother I recommen d me to y o u ; a n d foras
,
s h a ll h a ve such as I k n o w .

1 1 5 th M arch 1 4 69 , .
9 Jo h n N evile broth er to th e E arl o f Warwick ,
2 19 th M arch 1 4 69 , . by this adv an cem en t in h on our w e m us t supp ose th at
3
[ P rob a bly A usterfield ; b ut thi s i s n ot h alf th e th e ki n g h a d n o s us pic i on o f th e l oya lty o f th e
dista n ce h ere sta ted fro m Don caster ] . marquis I h av e been m ore p articula r in ascerta in
.

4 2 0 th M a rch 1 4 69
, . i n g t h e da tes o f th e o ccurren ces in thi s l etter a s th ey ,

5 J oh n Mo wbra y D uk e of N orfo lk
, . di tter fro m so m e o f th ose i n o ur h istori a n s
‘

1 “ T h e n m e o f th e wri ter i s n o t
p ut to this l etter
6 T h o m a s L or d S tan l ey afterwa r d s E ar l o f Derby . a
, ,
7 2 2n d M arch 1 4 6 9
, . b ut a t th e en d i n a h a n d o f th e tim e th o ugh in a
, , .

5 2 5 th M a rch 1 4 7 0 N B T h e date chan ged on

. . . di f eren t on e fro m th at used in th e letter is written
, ,

th e 2sth of M arch y ea rly ,

. for tro wy t
48 P A ST O N LE T T E R S .

Itis so, th a t on Wedn e sd ay l ast p ast y e su ch wi se tha t I sh all un derstan d th a t the

a n d I, P a m
p yn g , a n d E dm un d Broom were suit th a t I h a v e m a de t o my lord her h us
,
i n dict ed of felon y at the session s here in Nor b an d a n d her sh all turn t o your a dv a n ta ge
, ,

wich , for sh ootin g off a gun at C a i ster, i n a n d mi n e more th an we ween a s yet or sh all

A ugust l as t pas t wh ich gun slew t wo m en I u n der sta n d till s uch time a s I h a ve spoken
P am
, ,

p y n g, an d Broom as pri n cipa l a n d ye a s

, wi th her good gr a ce ; a n d upon thi s promi se
a cce ssa ry n o twith sta n di n g T ow n she n d a n d I h a ve promi sed S o u thwell to mee t with him
L om
,

n er hold a n opi n io n th a t the verdic t i s a t L on don th a t same week n ex t a fter S t .

void for there were two of the in que s t th a t

,
wo uld n ot a gree t o the i n di c tmen t, an d in as
m uch as they two were a greed ia o ther m
Peter ; wherefore I wo uld pas sin gly fa in th a t
ye were in L o n don at th a t seas on or n igh
,

at a bo ut L on don so th a t I migh t un der sta n d a t

,

t ers an d n ot i n th a t an d th at they t wo were

, yo ur pl a ce where th a t I might spea k with you
n ot di sch arged from the rem n an t a t such t ime or them (bef ore) 1 I spe a k with m y l a dy .

as th a t v erdic t o f yo ur i n dictme n t was gi v e n , I purpo se to go to C an terb ury 2 on foot thi s

t heir opi n io n is th a t all the verdic t i s void as
’

,
n ext week with G od s gr a ce an d s o t o come
,

well o f all o th er m a tt ers as of yours ; whether to L on don from then ce .

’
their opi n ion be good or n ot I c ann o t de ter I pray y ou see th at I be safe for Parker s
’
mi n e n or them selves n either
,
. d H arr y C oll ett s m atter .

I pra y y ou l e t n ot thi s m a tter h e slept for , S outhwell 3 told me thi s th at i f so be th a t ,

’
I can thi n k th a t m y L ord o f Nor folk s coun
s el will c a use the widow s t o ta ke an a ppe a l ,
’
a n d to remove it u p i n t o the K i n g s Be n ch a t
y e will yo ursel f, ye sh all h a ve both good
lord ship a n d l a d yshi p an d mon ey or l an ds, , ,
or both an d al l your m a tters set clear ; wh a t
,

the begi n n i n g o f thi s t erm ; T own she n d h a th t h a t he mean eth I c an n ot say .

promi sed me th a t he sh all be a t L on don on A s for a ll other m a tters i n this c oun try I
T uesd a y n ext comi n g an d the n ye m sh a ll do as well as I m
,

,
a y com ay for fa u l t (de
f a ult )
m un e wi t h him in t hat m atter, an d ta ke h is of mo n ey till I spea k wi th y ou : I ha ve m an y

a d v ic e colla r s on a s I sh all t ell y ou when I come

Item T own shen d an d L omm
. .

er thin k th a t N 0 more b ut God pres erve y ou an d y o urs ;

(if ) ye ha v e good co un sel y e m
, ,

an d a j usti fy written at Norwich, Frida y n ex t a fter Corpus

m
, y
the keepin g of t he pl a ce for the pe a ceable Ch “ d ay .
J O HN PA S T O N
po sse ssion th a t ye h a ve h a d in it more th an .

t hree ye a r ; b u t in con cl us io n all thi s i s don e

,
I did as m uch as I could to h a ve le t (hin
for n o ugh t el se b ut for to e n for ce y ou t o take dered ) the i n dictmen ts b ut i t wo uld n ot be , ,

as I sh all i n form
a direction with m y L ord o f Norfolk y ou an d T own shen d kn ow
m
.
,

I un derst ood by R S outhwell for he a n d

.
, eth the sa e .

I comm un ed i n thi s m a tter righ t l a rgely Norwich ,

be twix t him an d me, i n som uch he t elleth me F riday 2 2n d o f J un e 1 47 0

, , .

1 0 E IV
th a t an d (if ) I be at L o n don in t he week . .

n ex t a fter S t Pe t er, a t which time he sh all

.
I
[In origin a l—ar th en I sp ek &c —which i s
th e , .

be there him self he saith th a t my la dy ha th

, cl early ere then I spea k ao } , .

2 O n pilgr im a g e t o th e s h ri n e o f S t T h o m as
promised me her good l a dyship, an d sen t me .

w ord by him i n asm uch as he spake for me B ecket I supp ose

, .

, 3 Ri ch ar d S o uthw ell E sq o f W ood Ri si n g ; h e -

t o her, th a t sh e w ould remember min e old

.
, ,

a cqui re d thi s e sta te by m a rryi n g Amy da ugh ter

a n d cc h ei r o f S ir E d m
un d Wi ch ingh a mk n i ght
, ,

servi c e, an d forge t the gre at di spleas ure, i n -

,
.
 50 P A ST O N L E T T E RS

hese three l etters un derwr itten th e ki n g o f h is o wn h an d wrote un to my L ords o f

,

Claren ce Warwick an d A rch b ish o p o f York T h e crede nce wh ereof i n substan ce wa s

, , .
,

th at e very o f th e m sh o uld in s uch p eaceabl e wi se as th ey h a v e b e (been) acc ustom e d to

ride com
,

, e un to h is hig hn ess .

R ex Edwa rd us, t o our brother of Cla ren ce .

BR O T H E R , we pra y you t o gi v e fa i th cre an d trust ye will di spose y ou a cc ordi n g t o our

den c e t o our well beloved S ir T hom a s M on t
-

pleasure an d com an d rn en t ; an d ye sha ll be m

gomery 1 an d M ori c e Berkley 2 in th a t on our to us righ t wel c ome A t No ttin gh a m t he 9th .

beh al f they sh a ll declare t o y ou ; a n d we d a y of J ul y .

To our cous in the Ea rl o

f Wa rwick .

0 we greet you well an d pra y y ou t o

0 11 e , , su ch disposi t ion t owa rds us as the r umour ,
give fa i th an d creden ce t o S ir T hom as M on t here r un n eth con s iderin g the trust an d a il ec
,
gomery an d M orice Berkley ( in th a t on o ur tion we bea r in you At No tti n gh a m the 9 th .

beh al f the y sh all decl a re t o y ou) a n d w e n e d a y o f J uly A n d co us i n n e (d o n ot) th in k

b ut ye sh al l be t o us wel c o m
.

trust (d o n ot believe) tha t ye sho ul d be of a ny e .

T o our c us in
o the A rchbishop
f Yorh o .

C O U S I N we pr a y y ou th a t ye will, a c cordin g
, sh all sa y t o y ou ; an d ye sh all be t o us wel
t o the promise y e m a de us come t o u s as c ome A t Notti n gh a m the 9 th d a y of July
s oo n a s ye goodly m
.
, .

a y ; a n d th a t
(ye) give N ott i n gh am
c rede n c e t o S ir T hom as M on t gomery an
,

9 th o f J uly 1 4 7 0 1 0 E IV , . . .

M ori c e B erkley in th a t on our beh alf they

LET T E R C CXCIX .
—
(XXXIV . vol . 11 . p .

Un der th e directio thi s l etter i s wr itten in a h an d of th e tim e A

n of which I s upp ose e an s th e 1 0 O
x0 ,
”
, , m
E IV an d accor din gly I h ave so d a te d thi s l etter th o ugh h ad i t n o t b een for this m e m oran dum Ifsh o ul d
. .
, , , ,
3 h a ve pl ace d it after th at of S i r J oh n P aston to J ohn P a sto n E s q da ted 3d o f F ebruary 1 4 72 3 1 2 E I V,
.
, ,
-

,
. .
,

an d to whi ch I re fer th e read er a s lik e wi se to t h e l etter d a ted b etw ee n 8 an d 9 No ve mb er 1 47 2 1 2 E IV

, , , . .

N o ccc xxxi an d cccxxvi

. . .

To y mt
m a s er
,
S ir J ohn P a ston , K n ig ht, be this d elivered .

3
R I G H T worshipful S ir I re c ommen d me t o ,
S ir, m a t ter
as for th e
C a i ster i t h at h of ,
’

y ou ,
t h an ki n g y ou mo st he artily of yo ur been moved t o my l a d y s good gr a ce by the
gre a t c o st which ye did on me a t m y last Bishop of Wi n chester} as well a s he could
bei n g wi th y ou a t L on don ; which to m y
power I w ill recompen se y ou w ith the be st 3 T h e e state an d th e h all at C ai ster w ere p art of th e
p ossessi on s o f S ir J ohn Fastolf, kn ight J oh n Pas
s ervice th at l y eth in me t o do for yo ur ple a
.

ton fath er o f S ir J o hn , was o n e o f h is e xecut o rs by

, ,

sure while my wi ts be my own .

which m ean s th e P a stous go t i n to p ossessi on of thi s
s e a t, & c T h e righ t o f p o ssess in g i t was disp ute d
.

b oth by th e D uk e o f N o rfo lk . a n d by Kin g E dward

1 S ir Th om as Mon tg om ery h ad a comm an d a t th e IV th e form er in 1 4 69 layi n g a reg ul a r s iege to i t
.
, ,

b tle Barn et an d was a Kn igh t o f th e Gart er

at of th e P astous h ad at l ast q ui et p ossess i on
d e Wa in fleet o r P atten w a s a firmad
. . .

2 M a uri ce B er k ele y w a s secon d son o f J a m es L or d 4 Willi m

a , ,

Berk eley a n d i n gre at fav o ur with K i n g E d ward heren t to th e Hous e o f L a nca ster ; a n d n o twi th stan d
He s uccee de d h i s b rother Willi am in g th at co nti n ue d Bish op o f Win ch ester fro m
.
,

as L or d B er k e l e y , 1 4 4 7 to
i n 1 4 9 1 an d di e d in 1 5 0 6
, .
l 48 6 .
 P A ST O N L E T T E RS .
51

imagin e t o sa y i t con siderin g the l ittle leisure c f a con versa t ion between the L ady of
s ta n e o

th a t he h a d w ith her ; an d he told me th a t he N orf o lk a n d T homa s Da vers w herein she

p ro
mises t o be a f rien d to S ir J ohn P a ston con
,

b a d righ t a n a gree a ble an s wer of her ; b ut

wh a t h is an swer was he would n ot tell me ; mg C i t but T D
C er
'

w
a s erJ P t a v ers s ore a s on

t t m ti
n ,
. .

then I a sked him wh at an swer I should sen d no o h g d will t en

yp on er oo o an erson ex

y ou in asm u ch as ye m a de me a soli citor to pt t Si J h ) A d I le t y u pl i l y

‘

weet I m t the m I w ; f I w
, Ce o r o n . n o a n
h is lord ship for tha t m a tter then h e b a de me no

ever ro ugh i my m ter co ceit I m

, a an .
as or as
’
th a t un der co uns el, I shoul d se n d y ou word
, n so n as s n as a
tha t her an s wer was more t o yo ur pleasure w d th t he t old me him elf be for
Rich rd S o thwell T ym
no ,
an a s e
th an to the con tr ary ; whi ch y e sh all h av e a p l y Si W
u ,
er e ,
r .

more pl ai n k n owledge of this n ex t term,at Bran don an d t wen ty mor e so th a t the y t h a t

, ,

which time both my lord an d sh e sh all be at loved n ot l augh ed upon me ; n o more b ut .

L o n don . god look ( q g ood luck) . .

T h e bis hop c ame t o Framli n gh a m on Writt en a t Fra mlin gh am th e Frid ay n ex t

Wedn esda y a t n ight an d o n T hursda y b y , a fter th a t I dep a rted from y ou T hi s d ay .

t en of the c lock before n oo n my y oun g l a d y my lord is t ow a rds Wa ls in gh a m , a n d com

was chri sten ed a n d n a med A n n e ; 1 the bi shop
, ma n d ed me to overtake him to m orro w at th e -

c hris ten ed it a n d was god fa ther both ; an d fa r the st .

W ithin two hours an d less after the chri ste n i n g J PA ST O N . .

was do my L ord of Wi n che ster dep arted

,
Framlin gh am ,

t ow ards Wal th am ( Then f ollows the sub .

Fri d ay 1 4 7 0 1 0 E I V
, . . .

LET T ER ccc .
—(X xx v . v ol . 1 1 . p .

T his l ett er was w r itte n at a tim e wh en th e n ati on wa s i n a m ost un settl ed t th e l te ki g s a dh eren ts e very s ta e , a n
’

d ay e xp ecti n g th e arr ival o f th e D uk e o f Cl aren ce an d th e E ar l o f Wa r wi ck th ei r n ew fri en ds S om e e x , .

pressio n s in thi s letter seem to i n s i n uate th a t S ir J o h n P aston wi sh e d w el l to th e r ca use a n d h i s puttin g i

him se lf a s so on a s th e re vo luti on in th e go vern m en t ha ppe n e d un der th e p rotecti on o f th e E arl o f O x ford

, , ,

s h ows h e did so .

T o J P a ston &c .
,
.

B R O T H E R I commen d me to y ou, & c

,
ha th licen ce t o t arry there t ill he be sen t for
. .

( H f ollows a n or d er a bout sea rchin

g f T here be m an y fol k s up in the n orth so th at

n P am n g
ere or

s om
,

e writ in s &c
) Al o tell Joh P ercy 3
i s n ot a ble to res i st them a n d so th e

kin g h a th sen t for h is feod m

g s
,
.
py
en t o c ome to him
’
t h a t the m a id a t the B ull a t C lud ey s a t ,

West min s ter, sen t me on a time , b y him t o for he will go t o p ut them down ; an d som e
,

the M oor, a rin g o f gold to a t oken which I s a y th a t the ki n g sho ul d come a g a i n to L on

,

h a d n ot of him ; where fore I would th a t he d on , an d th at i n h aste ; an d as it is sa i d

‘

s ho u ld s e nd i t hither ,
f o r sh e m ust h a ve i t Co urt n e y s
4
be l an ded in D evonshire
,
an d

5 s for it w as n ot he rs
. Item I there r ule .
,
.

e ad y, the m a tt er quicken eth both Item , th a t the L ord s Claren ce a n d W ar

wick 5 w ill as sa y to l a nd in E n gl an d ever
yo r , well as for us a n d
‘

u s as y
d a y a s folks fe a r
myIOTd arghbl ish op2 is at the
.

A s foif t id in gs, I pr a y y ou let n ot J oh n Myl sen t be lon g

' '

M oor b ut th ere is beleft with himdiverse of

-

from me with a s m u ch as c an be g a thered ;

' ’ '

, ,

an d al s o th at y e write to me of a ll thi n gs tha t

’
the ki n g s serv an ts ; an d as I un derstand he _

1
An n e da ugh ter an d hei r of John Mowbray th e 1 seem s to h ave been susp ecte d by th e kin g an d left at
, ,
,

last D uk e o f N orfol k o f that n am e S h e was m arri e d the Moor a s a kin d of tate pri son er
. s .

i n 1 4 7 7 (b e i n g q ui te a child) to Rich ar d D uke o f 3 Hen ry P ercy th e lately crea ted E arl of N orth um

York secon d son o f E dward I V wh o on thi s m

,

, ar berl an d
.
, .

riag e w as created D uk e o f N rfo lk & c 4 T h e Co urtn e s w ere l ate E a rl s o f De vo n sh i re

y
'

o , .
.

2
T hi s m ust m ea n G eorg e N e vil e A rchbi sh op o f 5 T h ese n o bl em en l an de d a b o ut th e b egi nn i n
, g of
York and broth er to th e E arl of Warwick wh o
, th e m on th followin g ,
.
 52 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

I have wri tten to y ou for, so that I m ay h ave membered ; he h a th n ot to live with, th i n k

a n s wer of every thi n g . on him, & c .

O ther thi n gs B a t chelor W a lt er be a rer , JO HN PA ST O N , kn ight .

h ereo f sha l l i n form y ou Written a t L on don ,

, .
L o n do n ,
“

the S un day n ex t be fore S a in t L a wren ce s ’

S un day , 5 th of August , 1 47 0 .

d ay .
1 1 0 E IV . .

Al so my brother E dm un d is n ot ye t re

LET T E R C CCI —(C V vol iv p . . . . .

The origi l with th e ki

na , ign a ture fro m which this l etter is copi ed is pl a ced in a M S foli o v ol um
’
ng s s , e , .
,

con ta i n in g m an y cur ious origin al sta te p ap ers a n d copies o f sta te a p ers o f v a ri o us da tes a n d reign s
form
-
,
,
erly belon gin g to S ir E dwa rd Co k e a n d is thus e n dorse d in h i s o wn h an d , P riv y e S ca l e fro m .

Ritch a rd y th yrd en h a b l in g Mr S wan n es A un cetours to l ea v ye A rm es

e
. Ho w h e cam e to mi sta k e this .
”

s ign a ture fo r th a t o f Rich a rd III I can n ot con ceive it b ei n g so evi den tly R E Re x E d wa rd us th at o f
.
, . .
,

E dw a rd IV n e i ther was th ere a n y i n v as i on i n ten ded or e xp ecte d fro m F ran ce e ith er i n S e pte mb er 1 4 8 3 in
.
, ,

th e very b egin n i n g o f th e reign o f Charl es VIII or i n th e follo wi n g year wh en th a t prince desired a s afe ,

con duct for th e a mb as sa dors which h e in ten de d sen din g to E n gl an d T hi s vo l um e ca m e i n to th e p ossession .

o f th a t grea t an t i q uary S ir An dre w F o un ta i n e kn igh t a n d then ce in to th e va l ua bl e libra ry o f h is n eph e w

. ,

a n d h e i r B rigg P r ice Fo un tai n e E sq o f N a rfor d i n Norfo lk wh en ce I co i ed th e a b o v e l etter 4 th J uly

,
.
, , , ,

T hi s w a rra n t un der th e ki n g s sign a t ure a n d p riv y seal seem s to a e b ee n is sue d i n 1 4 7 0 a fte r

’
1 7 88 .
, , v
,

th e e scap e o f E dw ard fro m h is con fin em en t at M iddl eh a m Ca stl e an d a ft er h is h avi n g defea te d th e Lo rd ,

W ell s n ear S ta mford wh en th e D uk e o f Cl aren ce a n d th e E arl o f Warwick retiri n g i n to Fra n ce w ere

recon cil ed to Q ueen M arga ret an d a ide d by L ewi s X L m
, , ,

, e di tate d a n i n vas ion o f E n gl a n d in fa vour o f

, ,

Hen ry VI T hi s in va sion th ey a ccompli sh e d a n d la n de d at Da rtmouth in S eptemb er o n th eir m arch th e y

. ,

daily in crease d in n umb ers wh en E dwa r d on th eir a pproach to wa rds him a n d p rocl a imin g Henry V I
, ,

w a s se i ze d wi th s uch a p a n ic th a t retreati n g to wa rds th e s ea sh ore on th N orfo lk co ast h e emb a rk e d

,
-
e ,

a boa rd a small Vessel an d a fter se veral e sca pes fro m corsa irs &c h e l a n de d sa fely in Holl an d wh en
, , .
, ,

Hen ry fo r a few m on th s reascen de d th e thron e A Willi a m S w an is m e n ti on e d in Letter ccccv ; but wh eth er

. .

h e is th e sam e p erso n h ere a ddressed does n o t app ear .

To our we
ll beloved -
Willia mS wa n , Gen tle m an.

R EX E DWA R DUS . BY T HE K I N G .

T RU S T Y an d well beloved, we gree t you well , in our sa id co un ty or n earby, th a t ye dr aw

thither as we h a ve co m
-

an d forsomuch as we b e_c red ibl y as cer tai n ed , m an ded o ther our

t h a t our an cien t en emies of Fran ce, a n d o ur subj ec ts to do an d p ut y ou i n utt ermos t
,

o utw ard rebel s an d tr a i t ors, be draw n toge ther d evoir with them to resist the m ali c e of our
,

i n a ccord , an d i n te n d h as tily t o lan d in our sa id e n emie s a n d tra i tors ; a n d if they an d ye

co un ty of K en t or in the p arts thereo f n e ar be n o t of power so to do, th at the n ye draw

a dj oi n in g, with gre a t migh t a n d power o f y ou t o o ur ci t y o f L o n don , by which time we
Fre nc hmen utterly t o de s troy us an d our tr ust t o be there in our person or n e arby ; an d
true subjec ts a n d to subvert the common we al if we be n ot th at th a t then ye do farther a ll ,

of the same our realm . ye sh a ll be comm an ded by our c oun c il there,

We stra i tly ch a rge an d c omm an d y ou, u po n the p a in a bove sa id .

upon the fa ith a n d liegean ce th a t ye be a r Given un der our sign e t, a t our c i t y of

un t o us, th a t y e arred i e ( a ke rea dy) y ou m York, the seve n th d ay of S eptember .

wi th all the fellowship y e can make ; a n d a s

s oo n as ye my
a un derstan d th a t they l an d
York Friday
7 th o f S e ptem
,

ber 1 47 0
,

, .

1 0 E IV
S t L aurence th e 1 0th August . .
’
1 . s d ay is of .
 P AS T O N L E T T E RS .
53

R C CCII —(XXXVI vol 1 1 p

LET T E . . . . .

T hi s letter wa s wr itten a fter th e fligh t o f E dw a rd a n d v ery so on a fter th e restor ati o n o f Hen ry VI to th e

, .

th ron e S ir J ohn P aston a n d h is broth e J ohn P a ston th e w riter o f this l etter h a d b een an d stil l were o f
.
,
r
, ,

th e h o useh old o f th e Duk e o f N o rfolk b ut were n ow m a kin g thei r court to th e E arl of O xford ; an d h op e d
,

by h i s favo ur to h a v e app oin tm en ts un der thi s n ew g ov ern m en t which to o k pl ce th e begi nn i n g o f , a

O ctob er [T hi s l etter is a curi o us sp ecim en o f th e rapidi ty a n d fa cility wi th which cha n es too k place even
a m on g th e great p oli tica l ch aracters o f th e tim e an d th e sub servi en ce o f th e D uke o f I
,

No rf olk to th e Earl
,

o f O xford is v ery strikin gly m ark ed )

m mh
.

To y r ig ht worshipf ul ot er
,
fil a rg a ret P a ston , be t his d eliv ered .

A F T E R humble an d mo st d ue recommen da tion die thi s d ay or to morrow a t the far th est ; , ,

-
.

a s lo wl y as I c an I be seech y ou of y o ur ble ss J oh n P ilki n gton llI W at C l y ff a n d , . .

,
.

in g . P le ase it y ou to weet tha t ble ssed be Fowler are taken an d in the c astl e ofP om fre t
, , , , ,

God my brother an d I be i n good hele an d are like to die h astil y witho ut they be
,

(hea lth) ; an d I trust th at we sh all do righ t de a d S ir T hom as M on tgomer y a n d Jou .

well in all our m atters h a stil y ; for m y L a d y of do n e be ta ken , wh at sh all fal l of them I can
Norfolk 1 h a th promi sed to be r uled b y m y n ot s a y .

Lord o f O x ford“5 in all such m a tt er s as belon g T h e Q uee n 5 th a t was an d the D u che ss of ,

t o m y brother an d to me ; a n d as for m y Bed ford 6 be in san ct uary at Westmin s ter ; th e ,

L ord of O x ford, he is better lord to me b y Bi shop of E l y 7 wi th other bishops are in S a i n t

, ,

M a rti n s when I he ar more I sh all sen d y ou

'

my tr uth th an I can wi sh him in m an y

,

m a tters ; for he se n t to my L a d y of Norfolk b y more ; I pray God se n d y o u all your desires .

J ohn Bern a rd on ly for m y m a tter an d for n on e Written a t L on don on S a i n t E dward s even

'

, .

other c aus e mi n e on weetin g (f org etting )?

,
Yo ur son a n d h umble ser v an t,
o r witho ut an y pr a y er of me for whe n he se n t J P A ST O N
‘

.
, .

to her I was a t L o n don an d h e a t Colche ster Lo n don T hursday , ,

,

a n d th at i s a likelihood he remembered me
l l th o f O cto b er 1 4 7 0 , ,

4 9 H VI )
.
1 0 E IV ( . . . .

T h e D uke a n d the D uche ss sue to him a s

h umbly as e v er I did to them i ns om uch th a t M other I be see c h
y ou th at Brome m a y be ,

spoke n to to g a ther u m y sil v er a t G uyt on

f
my L ord o O x ford sh ll h ave the r le of them
a u p
an d theirs, by their own des ire s an d gre a t
i n al l h a ste possible for I h a ve n o mon e y
so tha t i t like y ou th a t J ohn M il sen t m
, .

mea ns .
Al ay ,

f
A s for the o fice s th at y e wro t e t o my be spoke n to to keep well m y gre y hor se ,

brother for an d to me the y be for n o poor ( if ) he be a li v e an d that he spare n o mea t on

men ; b ut I trust we shal l speed of other look t o him A s for m y c omin h omI k o
,
,
him ,
a n d th a t he h a ve c un n i n g leeche s t o

e n w
o fii c es meetl y for u s For m y m a ster the g .
.

n o cert a i n ty , for I ta rry till m y L a dy of

E a rl of O x ford biddeth me a sk an d h a v e
, .

I trow (thin k) m y brother S ir J ohn sh al l h a ve Norfolk come t o go thro ugh with the m a tters,
an d sh e sh a ll n ot be here till S un d a y
n s s f
the co ta ble hip o Nor wich C as tle wi th 20l
-

, .
.

o f fee ; all the lords be a greed to it .

ab scon de d on th e d ep arture o f h is royal m as ter b ut

T idi n gs the E arl of Worce ster i s lik e to
“ ,

, wa s tak en i n W eybridg e F ore st i n H un tin gdo n shire , ,

1 J o h n Mo wbra y
c o n ce al ed i n a tree ; a n d b e i n g b ro ugh t t o th e T o w er ,
D uk e of N orfo lk ; E li zabeth
, w a s th ere beh ea ded up o n a ch arge o f cruelty o n th e
,
,
daugh ter o f Joh n T a lbot first E a rl of S hrew sb ury , 1 8 th o f O ctob er 1 4 7 0 , , .

D uch ess o f N orfolk 5 E

li zabeth Q ueen of E dw ar d IV
J quelin e of L uxem
.

b urgh D uch e ss—

, .

3 J oh n d e V ere a fi r m fri en d to th e Ho us e o f 6
dow a ger o f
'

, a , ,

L an ca ster an d wh o durin g th e sh o rt ex l ta ti o n o f
, ,
Hen ry wa s am on gst th e fi st statesm e n of tha t p arty
, r
B edford an d wido w o f S ir Rich rd Wid v il le or
a , a
Woo dville m oth er t o E li za bet h
W il liam Gray a m
.
, .

He di ed 1 0th o f M arch 1 4 1 2 4 H VIII 7

a n o f fa mily a n d great l e arn

[ O n w eetin g is un weeti ng—with o ut h is kn ow

, , . .
,
3
ing wa s place d i n thi s s ee by P o p e N i ch ol as V in , .

l ed g ) e. 1 45 4 He was l or d trea surer to E dw a r d IV an d . .

,
4 Jo h n T i to ft L or d T re a surer an d L or d Con st a ble
p , die d in 1 4 7 8 , .
54 P AST O N LE T T E R S .

LE T CCCIII — (C VI vol iv p
'
rER . . . . .

W e h ere see th e v ar ious artifices th a t h a d b een m a d e use o f to b ri n g forw a r d thi s a pp ea l a ai n st th e P a stous

g ,

a n d th e p a i n s th a t h a d been ta k en by th os e wh o s ee m ed to h av e b een th ei r fri en d s to di stress th e m by i t .

T h e en dea vours us e d to i n duce th e wido w to p ut h ersel f un der th e D uke o f N orfo lk s p rotecti o n an d to bec o m e
’
,

h is v a ssa l un der th e differen t titles o f wa iv e a n d wido w are c uri ous a n d throw so m e ligh t up on th e feuda l
, ,

s ystem . I do n ot e xactly un ders ta n d th e sens e in which th e w or d w e ve or waiv e i s use d h ere farther th an ,

i t m ea n s to con vey th e idea o f s ubj ecti on T h e wido w h o wev er ch o se to b e h er o wn mi stress in th e

.
, ,

seco n d year a n d to ta k e an oth er h usb an d

T o h is worshipf ul m
.
, ,

a ster J ohn P a ston E s uire

, , q .

R I G H T worshipful S ir, I c ommen d me t o h ad don e than t o lo se th a t an d more an d ,

y o ur good m ast ership & c P le as e i t y ou t o therefore sh e sa id pla in ly tha t sh e w o ul d n o

:
.
,

u n derstan d th a t Red ford de sired me, o n your more o f tha t m a tter, a n d so sh e t ook her an
b eh a lf, th a t I sho uld go a n d comm un e wi th h usba n d, which is the sa id T hom a s S ty wa rd ;
’
t h e wom a n th a t was th e fuller s wi fe a t S o uth a n d sh e sa i th th a t i t wa s full s ore a ga i n st h er

W alsh am which wom an is n ow m a rried t o will th at ever the m atter wen t so far forth,
,

o n e T hom as S ty ward dwell in g i n the p ari sh

,
o f S a i n t Gile s i n Norw ich ; which wom an
sa id t o me th a t sh e sued n ever the a ppea l, b ut
th a t sh e was by subtle cr aft brough t t o the
for sh e h a d n ever n o n e a v a il thereo f b ut i t
was s ued t o her gre a t l a bour a n d lo ss, for sh e
’
h a d n ever of my lord s coun sel b ut ba rel y her
co sts t o L on do n No more b ut God h a ve .
,

N ew In n a t Norwich an d there was M ast er

, y ou in hi s keepi n g Writte n a t Nor wich the .
,

S o uthwell , an d he i n tre a t ed her to be m y M on day n ex t after the fea st o f S a i n t L uke .

’
l ord s wewe (wa ive) 1 by the spa ce of an B y your servan t,
whole ye ar n ex t followi n g an d there t o he ,
R L . .

m a de h er t o be boun d in an oblig ation ; an d Mon da y

w he n th a t ye a r wa s p ast, he de sired her to be my
,

2 2d o f O cto b er 1 47 0 , .
’
lord s widow a n o ther ye a r ; a n d then sh e sa id 1 0 E IV . .

tha t sh e ha d lever (ra ther) lo se th a t th at sh e

LET T E R C CCIV — (CVII vol . . . iv .

T h e date of thi s l etter fromJ P as ton th e yo un ger to h is m oth er can n ot h e certain ly ascertain e d th ough I
thin k I m
. .
, , , ,

ay v en t ure to fix i t b etwee n 1 4 7 0 a n d 1 4 74

To m
.

y r ig ht worst f ul m other M a rg a ret P a ston , a t M a wteby

,
.

R I GH T worshipful mo ther, a fter all h umble N orwi ch , an d wa i t e th hourly when his mon ey
recommen da tion s, as lowly as I c an I bes eech .
sh all c ome to him ; i t is on e E d m un d B owen

y ou o f your ble ssi n g P le ase y ou t o wee t of the E xche quer, a speci a l frie n d of mi n e
tha t lat e y estem
-
.
,
igh t I c ame t o No rwich, p ur an d he a d v iseth me t o t a rry t ill the mon ey be
po sin g t o h a ve been a t this d ay wi th y ou a t come lest tha t I be pa id, for who c o m
u n
“
e th
M awteb y, b ut i t is so th a t I m
,
”
a y n ot hold fi rst to the mill, first m us t grin d
my purpose f2or he that sh all pay me my
.

A n d as I wa s wri t i n g thi s bill, on e o f the

groom s of my lord s c ha mber c ame to m
,

a r ter wa ge s for me an d my reti n u e is in

’

q u e,
3
an d told me th a t my l a dy will be here i n

l
[ T h e orig in a l i s wewe —m
a y i t n o t b e m ean t for of th e E xch equer quarterly for th em selves an d th e i r
w a ged m
,

w ido w ? If n ot w a if i s used i n its ordina ry sen s e

, en .

3 E li z a b eth Duch ess of Norfolk wife of J oh n

o f a stray app erta i n i n g to th e m a n or i a l l ord sh e , , ,

h av in g b een de prive d of h er h usban d a n d n atura l Mo wbray th e last D uk e o f Norfolk of th at n a m e ,

to r an d th en ce , feuda lly, recurr in g to h er wa s m ost p rob a bly o n h er way in pilg rim ag e to th e

porfi
ro ,

image of our La dy a t Walsin gh a m to o f er a t h er ,

2 W e are h ere i n form e d tha t th o se wh o h ad en sh r i n e, a n d to o b tai n th rough h er i n tercess i on an

g a ge d in th e ki n g s s ervice rece iv e d the i r p ay e a sy pregn an cy an d ha ppy de liv ery

’
o ut .
 P AST O N LE T T E R S .
55

Norwich t o morrow a t n igh t toward s Wal s in g in g b etimes, for were I on c e horsed I tro w I
h amwhich sh all I wot well be an other let
-

, were as far forth rea d y

‘

as s ome of my n eigh
to me b ut I h a d more n eed to be otherwise
,
bo u rs .

occupied th an t o a wa it on l a dies for there is ,

I he ard a li t tle w ord th a t ye purpo sed t o
as ye t I trow n o spear tha t sh all go over t he be here in Norwich the n ext week, I pray God
sea so evil hor sed a s I a m , b
ut it is told me i t be thi s week
M other, I beseech y ou th a t I m
.

th a t Rich ar d C alle b a th a good horse t o sell ay h a ve an

a n swer t o morrow a t t he farthe st of thi s m

,

a n d on e J oh n B ut cher of O xboro ugh h a th -

at
a n other an d if i t migh t ple as e y ou t o give ter, an d of an y o ther serv ice th at it please y ou
S y mle a ve t o ride i n t o th a t coun try at m y
,

t o comm an d me, which I will at al l se ason s

co st an d in y our n ame sa y in g th a t ye will
, , ( )
b e re a dy to a ccompli sh with God s gra c e
,
’

give on e of yo ur son s an horse desiri n g him th a t ,

whom I be seech to preserve you an d y o urs .

h e will give y o u a pen n y wor th for a pen n y , Writte n a t Nor wich, thi s Wedn e sda y in
an d h e sh all an d the price be
,
re ason able , E as ter week 7
hold him ple ased with yo ur pa y men t o ut o f By yo ur son a n d serv an t ,
m y purse tho ugh he k n ow it n ot ere h is hor se
, J O HN PA ST O N .

depart from h is han ds M o ther I beseech y ou,

a y ple as e y o u t o give S y m
(if ) i t m
.
Norwich W e dn e sday Apr il
an d lea ve , , ,

b etween 1 4 7 0 an d 1 4 7 4 .

to ride on th i s messa ge in your n a me th a t he 1 0 a n d 1 4 E IV

may be here with me to morrow in the morn
, .

LE T T E R CCCV —(CVIII vol . . . iv . p .

m
Th e wa g es d ue to th e se en w a s for the ir a tten d a n ce un der th e co mm an d o f th e Duk e o f S uffol k at th e b a ttl e
,

o f L i nco ln Fi eld , usua lly ca lled t h e b a ttl e o f S ta m ford , wh ere th e ki n g [ E d w i n th e b egin n in g o f

m
.

M a rch 1 4 69 7 0 o bta in ed a co mpl ete v ictory ov er th e reb el force s, co m a n de d by th e so n o f L ord W elles, wh o,

,
-

b e in g th ere ta k en p ri son er, wa s a few da ys after behea de d O n th e n e w s o f thi s defeat th e Duk e o f C l a

m
.

ren ce an d th e E arl o f W arwic k rep a i red to E x eter fro m th en ce th ey w en t to D art , o uth , an d th ere , ab out
M ay e mbark e d , fo r Fra nce W e fin d by thi s letter th at th e kin g s a rmy fo llow e d th e m to E xeter T his
’
. .

l etter b y th e da te a pp ears to h a ve been wri tten j ust ab o ut th e tim e o f E dwar d s l ea vi n g th e kin gdo m , wh en
’

V
Hen ry I wa s re i n sta ted o n th e th’ ro n e, un less the p a ym e n t o f th e en h a d b een lon ger del ayed ; i f so it
.
-
m
was n ot written till a fter E dw ar d s ret urn a n d re— a ccess i on [ T h e y ’w ere o f course L a n ca ster i an s as S uf
.
,

fo lk him se l f was an d thi s l etter m ust h a v e been written dur in g Hen ry s sh ort restora ti on T h e y h a d retrea te d .

to E x eter, a n d h a d p ro ba bly h a d n o ch a n ce o f o bta in i n g p a ym en t t ill thi s tim e T h e b a ttle was fough t, .

M arch 1 2, a t E rpi ngh am in R utlan dshi re ] .

T o the Ba ilifls, C on st a bles, a n d Cha

'

m
b l
er a in s o f our Boroug h of E ye a n d to every of them , .

T HE DU I
KE or S U - F O LK
1 ‘
. we will an d ch arge th a t y e wi tho ut an y lon ger
F O R A S M U C H as E dmun d L ee an d J oh n dela y p ay them their whole dut ies a ccord
in g the cove n an ts tha t y e m a de with them,
'

B a rker, which were w a ged for your t own to

’
a wa i t upon us in the K i n g s service to L i n col n an d ye fa il n ot hereof a s y e i n te n d o ur ple a

Fiel d a n d from then ce to E xeter a n d (ba ck)

,
sure .Written a t W in gfield , the 22m d d ay of
a ga i n a n d for th a t se a so n as we be i n formed , ,
O c t ober .

t hey are n ot y et full y con ten ted an d p a id o f S U FF O LK .

their w a ge s ; where for e, upon the sigh t hereo f ,

Win g fiel d ,

Mon da y 22n d o f O c t
, ob er ,
1 7 40 1 0 E IV
J ohnde l a P ol e D uk e of S ufiol k died in . . .
1
'

, , 1 49 1 .
56 P AS T O N LE T T E RS .

LET T E
R CCCVI (CIX vol iv p . . . . .

I t a pp ears pl ai n ly from th e con ten ts o f thi s letter th a t i t wa s written durin g th e short time th at Hen ry V I
, .

w as i n p osse ss i on o f th e th ro n e T h e E arl o f O xfor d wa s co mi n g to N orwich to see h o w th e coun ty o f

.

N orf o lk s t o o d aflected t o th e p re sen t ch a n g e i n th e go v e rn m en t an d m o st p ro b a bly to b e presen t a t th e

'

electi on of m e mb ers t o be retur n ed for th a t city a s w ell as for th e coun ty to serv e in th e e nsuin g p a rliam en t
, , .

I t is a m ost cur i ous l etter a n d gives us a v ery p articular d escripti on b ot h o f th e p a rt ies a n d o f th e p oli tics
,

o f th e t im es .

T o J ohn P a ston
,
E sq , in ha ste
. .

i
’
BR O T H E R I commen d me t o y ou pra y i n g ,
sufii c en t m a tters an d t ell the r a ili n g ;4 pra y,

y ou th a t t h i s be yo ur guidin g if o t her folk s ,

in g them n ot t o c a use my lord to owe h is
.

wil l a gree t o the s ame th a t M aster Roo s old

, ,
fa vour for their ple as ure t o some folks there
, ,

K n iv et,1 ye , a n d the w orship ful l est t h a t w ill presen t ; for if my lord fa vour or the y either , ,

do for o ur sake a s Arbl aster J ohn J e n n e y

, , ,
b y likelihood my lord an d they might los e
W odehouse 2 an d all other gen tleme n th a t at
,
s ix times as m an y fii en d s a s he sho uld win

t h e d ay will be i n Norwich th at ye all whole ,

b y their mean s .

as on e bod y come together th at my L ord o f Al so i f ye co ul d fin d the me an s M aster

O x ford m
, , ,

ay un der sta n d th a t s ome s tren gth Roo s an d ye , to c ause (the) m a y or in my

r e steth thereb y which i f i t be well h an dled
,
lord ’s ear t o t ell him tho ugh he sho uld bin d ,

an d pro v e in t h e h an dli n g I t row H e y don s ,

’
my lord t o con ce al (it) t ha t the l ove of the ,

part y will be b ut an e as y compari s on ; n ever co un try an d city resteth on our side an d tha t ,

th el ess the n m ust ye bew a re of on e p a in an d

, ,
o ther folks be n ot beloved n or n ever were ;
,
f f 3
th a t is thi s H e y don will o cra t sen d a mon g thi s wo uld do n on e h arm .

If i t be so t h a t all thin gs go ol yv er5 curre n t

)
y ou per c ase (p roba bly si x or more wi th h a rn ess
for to sl an der your fe l owship with sayi n g th a t
,

w ith more t o remember th a t there is o ut of

,

they be riotous people a n d n ot o f substan ce th at coun try th at be n ot a t Norwich , beside

re quire the gen tlemen a bove written th a t if me th a t be righ t worshipful an d as worship
an y m
, ,

en h e in Norwich o f the coun try th a t ful as few belon gin g t o Nor folk th a t will an d
be ar an y su ch h arn ess to do (m
,

sh all do m y lord ser v i ce the r a ther for m y

a ke
) them
s ake a n d M aster Roo s s an d the r a ther if my
’
lea v e i t, or an y glisteri n g bill ( p ole a x e)
lord remi t n ot m
-
.
,
’
T h e m a y or a n d citi z en s of Norwich were uch thi n g t o H e y don s g uidin g
won t t o h a ve a c ertayn e (a n um ber) of m
.

en Al s o the goodl y me ans whereb y ye best

i n h arn ess of m en of the t own to the n umber c a n en tre a t my co usin S ir Willi a m C a lthorp e

o f t wo or three or fiv e h un dred, which if the y a t the sa id d a y wse

( )
a d vise 6 them to c aus e

n ow do i n like c ase the se will owe be tt er will

,
him if it w ill be to come ye in h is compan y
, ,

t o M ast er Roo s a n d y ou th an t o other folks ; a n d he in yo urs in chie f a t y our chie f show ,

.
,

an d if it h e s o th a t the y thou ght n ot t o h a ve a n d M ast er R 0 0 3 an d he i n comp an y , le tt i n g

n on e such a t thi s time I thi n k the m ay or

,
m y sa id cous in weet th at I t old him on ce th a t
w il l do i t at the re qu e st of M a st er Bees an d

m
y ou i f l a ck of t ime c ause (p reven t) it n ot th e origi n a l for th e b e n o sufi m
.
,
4
[ In at ys a n d
'
r
Ite be well w are of Clopton for he h a th tell th e raylin g W e thin k th e tra n sla ti on sh ould
”
.
,

be for th ey be n o suffici en t m
, , .

a d v i sed my lord to be a ltogether r uled b y as ters an d te ll th e

Hey d on in som
,

,
uch he ha th reported th a t all rea l thi n g i e th e truth ]
”
, . . .

5 T hi s a ppe a rs to b e th e w or d i n th e origi n a l b ut
thi n g s an d all m a tters of m y lord s an d in all ’
,

th e m ean i n g o f it I sha ll b e gl a d to h a ve e xpl ai n e d

[ M a y it n o t b e c lever—cl everly If i t be so th a t a ll
the coun tr y sho uld (be) guided b y H e y do n if
.

Clopton or Hygha mor L ewi s J ohn be bus y th ese th ing s wi th m

.

o e g o c l ev erly current th a t i s
s m o othly th en to rem em
, ,
r , ,

press i n t o my lord be fore them for the y be n o , ber & c T hi s a pp ea rs to ,

.

,
us th e c o n str ucti on T h e wh o le l etter i s v ery o b
.

scurel y w orded ; w e h a v e a ltere d e ven m ore o f th e

1 J ohn K n ev et, E sq Bucken h a m Ca stl e
, of . p un ctua ti on h ere th an el sewhere an d a few o f ,

9 S ir
E dward W o deh o use k n igh t o f K imberl ey, ,
th e w ords th at app eare d w ron g tran sl a te d a n d w e ,

i n N o folk
r . trustth e m ea n i n g i s n ow gen era lly to be un derstoo d
3 T hi s i s
a cur i o us sch e m e an d w orthy th e co n
3
‘
[ Wse is pro ba bly use th e goodly m ea ns
use th e m to caus e h im & c ]
,
”
d uctor o f a m o dern el ection con test . , .
58 P AS T O N L E T T E R S .

I ib i
' ‘
igro mili ti sal utemet om n ibus
n . S in a utem per l itteras has n ost ras paten tes
Notifico qu od L a n gdon ille homun cul us E go an d op erarii, qui sun t con sen tien tes
N ul lampecun ia
,

m
li bera re v ul t gen tibus O mn e s un a voce p ro e u s suos den tes mm
m mm
,

Q uod est m a gn um impedimen tum n ostris N isi l i beret p ec un ia , cu si us egen tes .

op erib us ;
T e ste m
ei so a p ud Kn a p to n p red ic ta ,
paen a con tem
p
E st et mihi te s ti s M a ri a Ben e di cta ,
'
Id c irco t ibi m an do p tlis
sub

Q uod tu in d ila te proprii s m m

,

ani bus Q uod v i c esi o die Jul ii n on in d erel icta

S cri bas t uas l itteras quod ille hom un cul us
,
E ra t s umme solidi , res h wc n on est ficta .

Copia m p ecun iae d elibera t gen t ibus 2 oth of J uly .

LE TT E R c c c v n r—(xxxv rr . . vil . 1 1. p .

S ir T h o m as de Vere kn igh t was thir d broth er to J oh n d e Vere Ear l of O xford I t app ears fromthis l etter
, , , .
,

th at th e coun ty o f Norfolk w as in th e i n terest o f Hen ry VI an d by th e ord ers which it con ta i ns th at th e .

, ,

E a rl h ad h ad a dvice fro m h is b roth er o f th e app eara n ce o f E d war d s fl eet on th at co ast an d o f i ts p rocee di n g

’
,

fro m th en ce to th e n orth Ho linsh ed i n form s us tha t E dwa r d ca m e b efore Cro mer i n Norfo lk o n th e
1 2th o f M arc h wh ere h e sen t o n sh ore S ir Ro bert Ch a m
.
, ,

,
b erlai n e S ir Gilb ert Deb en h a m an d oth e rs to , , ,

un der sta n d h o w t h e coun try stoo d a ffecte d T h e y foun d th e vigilan c e o f th e E arl o f O xford a n d th e grea t
.
,

p repa ration s h e h ad m a de w ere such th at i t w o uld b e unsafe to lan d and there fore th ey steere d n orth
, , ,

w ar ds
m mV
.

To y ight d r ea r a n d well beloved Brother, Tho

-
as ere.

R I GH T dear an d wel l b elov ed bro ther I com o

,
a rr ive n orthward , like as ye wee t by likelihood
me n d me hea rt ily un to y ou ; certi fyin g y ou he sho uld, I cast (in tend ) to follow an d p ur
tha t I h a ve re c eived yo ur wri t in g direct ed ,
sue him a n d where a s
, ( ) ye de sire th a t i
n ow las t un t o me by my servan t Willi a m
,
sho uld sen d y ou word wh a t di spo sition sh all

Cooke by which I un der stan d the fa i thful

,
be ta ken in the coun try where ye be I des ire ,

gu idin g an d disposition of the coun tr y t o my y ou, th a t ye by the a dvice o f the Gen tl eme n
,

grea t com for t an d ple asure ; which I doub t which be there chuse three or fo ur an d se n d
,

n o t sh al l redo un d t o the gre at e st pra i sin g a n d them t o me a t B ury on M on da y n ex t ; an d

'

worship th at ever did t il l (to) a n y co un try ; then I a n d they with m y c o un c il sh all ta ke, ,

certi fy i n g you far thermore th a t by N ich eson a direction for the surety of all th a t c o un try
’

o f yo u r o ther t idi n g s las t s en t un to me ; a ls o by God s gra c e ; by whom I sh al l sen d then

t he se b y Rober t P ort er I h a ve dispo sed me . t o y ou rela tion whether ye sh all rem a in stil l
wi th all the power th at I c an m ake in E ssex there y o ur sel f or re sort t o me wi th al l those
,

an d S u ffolk C a mbridgeshire, an d other pl a ce s th at be a c c ompan ied with y ou an d Jesu pre

'

At Hith in gh am(Hen ing ha m

, ,

t o be on M on da y n ex t c omi n g a t B ur y , which s erve y ou . .

) the
1 4 th d a y of M ar ch
’
purpose I in t en d t o observe with God s gra c e , .

to w a rd s you in to Nor folk t o the as si sta n ce o f ,

By yo ur lovin g bro ther,
o u an d t he co un try in c a se E dw a rd w i th O XY N FO R D
y , .

his comp an y h ad arrived there an d ye t I , Hen in gh a mor Hedi

, h a m Cas tle in E sse x
ng , .

sh a ll d o the sa me n o twi hs tan d in g ; for if he o f M a rch 1 4 7 0 1 1 E IV (4 9 H VI )

t , 1 4 th , , . . . .

LE T T E R c c c rx — (xxxv n r . . vol . 1 1. p .

T his pi ri ted l etter was w ritten imm ed iately a fter n otice of th e l an din g of E dward a t Rav enspur in Yorks hi re
un ti es m
s , ,

o n th e 1 4 th o f M arch ; b ut wh eth er th e forces ra i s e d in N or fo lk a n d th e n e ighbo uri n g co

arch e d

to wards N ew ark does n ot a ppea r —if th e y did th ey a n d th ose they migh t m eet th ere n ever face d E dwar d s
, ,
’

E dward th ere m
, ,

a rmy whi ch ca m e for w ar ds to th e Ear l o f W a rwick s force s e n tren ch e d a t Co ven try ad e

'
.
,
 P AS T O N LE T T E RS .
59

a f , min e d to om
ein t of atta c king th em b ut b e in g j o i n e d by h is broth er th e D uke of Cl aren ce it wa s deter it ,

th a t an d procee d imm ediately to L on don ; wh ere h e arrive d on th e 1 1 th of April w ith o ut o pp o si ti on an d

ins ta n tly re assum e d the govern m en t of th e ki n gdom
, ,
-

To m y rig ht trus ty a n d well beloved Hen ry S p ilm T hom a s S eyve J ohn S e oc J a m

.

es R a dcli

p ton the elder, a n d to ea ch of them

an

J ohn Bra m
y
-

, , ,

T R U S T Y an d well beloved I commen d me to c omm an d y ou an d in my own behal f heartil y

, ,

y ou, le tt i n g you weet th at I h ave credible desire an d pra y y ou th a t, all exc us es l a id a par t -

’
t idin g s tha t th e kin g s gre a t en emies an d ye an d e a ch of y ou, in your own persons,
rebel s a ccompan ied with en emie s e stran gers defe ns ibl y a rr a y ed with as m an y m
may goodly make be on Friday n ex t coming
, en a s y e , ,

be n ow a rri v ed an d l an ded in the n orth pa rts ,

o f thi s hi s l an d t o th e utter destr uctio n of a t L y n n , an d so forth t o Newa rk ; where wi th

, , ,

h is royal person an d sub v ersion of all h is , the le a ve of God I sh all n ot fa il to be at th at

re a lm if the y migh t a tta in ; whom t o e n coun ter time ; i n ten din g from then ce t o go forth with
,

an d re s i st, the ki n g s hi gh n ess h a th comm an ded

’
the help of God y ou a n d my frien ds t o the , , ,

an d assig n ed me un der h is se al , sufficie n t

, ren co un t er of th e s a id en emie s ; an d tha t y e
power an d authori ty to call r a ise, ga ther an d fa il n ot hereof a s y e t e n der the we a l of our
.

, , ,

assemble from t ime to time

,
al l h is liege sa id s o v ereign L ord an d a ll this h is re a lm
, .

people of the shire o f Norfolk an d other ‘Vritten a t B ury, the 1 9th d ay of M arch
, .

plac es t o as si st stre n g the n me in the

, O XYN FO R D .

sa me i n te n t .

'

Where fore i n the ki n g s n ame an d by

, B ury 1 9 th of M arch ,
, ,

authori t y afore sa id, I s tr a i tly ch arge an d 1 4 7 0 1 1 E IV (4 9 H VI ) , . . . .

LET T E R CCCX -

(XXXIX vol 11. p

cia l s ing ula r m
. . . .

T o the r ig ht worshipf ul a n d sp e
a ster S ir J ohn P a ston Kn
, ig ht, be this del ivered , .

A F T E R d ue recommen dation h a d with all m y m uch th a t h is m en ha ve the gorge t on their

n dictm
,

s ervice & c , (H ere ollow cop ies (

.
f f i en ts bre as ts an d the ro se over it A n d i t is sa id , .

a n d a pp ea ls p r ocured ag a in s t S ir J ohn P a ston , th a t the L ord H ow a rd 1 b ath pro cl a imed Kin g

a n d h is ser va n ts a n d likewise other la w bus i -
E (d wa rd ) ki n g of E n gl an d i n S uffolk .

n ess )
. Yo urs, an d a t your comm an dmen t ,
A s for t idi n gs here in t hi s co un try be m an y
, J A M E S G R E S HA M .

tal es, an d n on e a ccord with other it is told

L a tter en d of M a rch
me by the un der sheri ff th a t m y L ord of -

o r b egi n n i n g o f A pril
,

Cla ren ce is gon e to h is brother l a t e ki n g ; in so 1 4 7 1 1 1 E IV (4 9 H VI ) , . . . .

CCCXI (X L vol ii p LE T T E R .
-
. . . .

T his cur io us l etter was w ri tten by S ir J ohn P as to n to h i s m other th e fo urth d a y a fter th e b a ttl e o f Ba rn et
wh ere i n h e h a d p erson a lly fought ; an d which m
, ,

ay b e sa id to h a v e s ettled E dw ar d a lm o st securely o n th e
thron e by dep r ivin g h i mof h is impl acable en e my th e great E ar l o f Warwick wh o h ere fell m ost furi ously
,
‘

, , ,

fig h ti n g His brother the M arq ui s o f Mon tagu sh a re d th e s a m e fa te ; S ir John P aston sh o ws h im s el f a

true L an cas tr ia n a n d e v en n o w en terta in s grea t h ep es o f a cha n g e o f a ffairs fa vo urable to He ry —th es e
. , ,

, n ,

I s upp ose w ere raise d by th e l a n din g of Q ueen M rga ret a n d h er son P r in ce E dwa r d in Dorsetshire b ut
, a , , ,

th ey p ro v ed o f short co nti n uan ce fo r a t th e fa ta l b a ttle of T ewkesbury fought on th e 4 th of M a y follo win g

, , ,

h er a rmy was to ta lly ro uted an d herself a n d son ta ke n pr ison ers ; wh en th e latter w a s a lm ost imme dia tely
most basely murdered in the apresen en o f E dward ; a n d o ur his torian s say thatd thiassyonunsg pri n cewasfell nby
,

th e swords o f th e D uk es o f Cl ren ce a d Glo ucester an d o f the L ords Dorset an H ti g He O ly

,
.

e ighteen years of age an d was buried wi th o ut an y fun era l p o mp in th e ch urch o f th e Bla ck Fri a rs i n
It seem
, , , ,

T e wke sb ury s s om e wh a t s ur p ri s i n g th a t S ir Jo h n s h o uld co mmit to p a p er h i s wi sh es an d o pin i on s

.

so full y at a ti m e wh e n h e w a s scarcely at li berty him self an d h ad re as on to fear th a t if h is sen tim e n ts w ere , ,

di sco vered h is li fe migh t be in dan ger [ Hall is the fi rst hi sto ri an who m en tion s Claren ce an d Gloucester
,
.

1 J o hn Ho w a r d afte r wa rds th e first D uk e o f N or fo lk o f th at n a m e .

,
60 P AST O N L E T T E R S .

as p arti ci p atin g in thi s m urder T h e m on k o f Croyla n d a con temp orary m erely sa ys it was don e by certain
.
, ,

p erson s ; an d Fabyan a boy a t th e tim e th at th e kin g strak e him with h is ga un tlet upon th e face ; a fter
which s troke s o by hi m
, ,

recei ved h e was by th e ki n g s s erv an ts in con t in en tly

,
’

M other .

M O T H E R I recommen d me t o y ou le tt i n g y ou
, , A s for other t idin gs (it ) is un derstood here , ,

weet, th a t blessed be God m y brother J ohn ,

t h a t the Q u een M arg aret 9 i s veril y l an ded
( P a ston ) i s alive a n d fareth well an d in n o ,
a n d her so n i n the we st co un try an d I trow ,

peril of de ath ; n evertheless b e i s h ur t with (believ e) th a t as to morrow or el se the n ex t

a n a rrow on h is r ight arm
-

ben e a th the elbow ; d a y the K i n g E dwa rd will dep art from he n ce

,

a n d I ha v e se n t him a s urgeon which h a th t o her w ard to dri v e her o ut a ga in

Item I beseech y en th a t I m a y be rec om
.
,

dressed him an d he t elleth me th a t h e tr usteth

me n ded to m y cousi n L om
, ,

th a t he sh all be all whole within right short time . n er, a n d to th an k

It is so th a t J ohn M ylsen t is de a d God h ave

x
,
him for h is good will to me w ard i f I h a d
merc y on h is so ul ! a n d Willia m M ylsen t i s h a d n eed a s I u n derstood by the be arer
,

alive an d hi s other serv an ts a l l be e sc aped

,
hereof ; a n d I beseech y ou on my beh al f to
by all likelihood a dvi se him to be well were o f h is de ali n g or

I tem a s for me, I amin good case blessed

.

, , l an gua ge a s yet for the world I a ssure y ou is

,

be God a n d in n o j eopard y of m y li fe as me right que asy (un settled ) as y e sh all kn ow withi n

list mysel f for I a ma t my liberty if n eed b e
,

. thi s mon th ; the people here fea reth it sore .

1
I tem my lord a rchbi hop
,
s i s i n the G od h a th showed himself m a r v ellousl y like
T ower ; n e v erthele ss I tr ust to God tha t he him th a t m a de all a n d c an un do a g a i n when
h imli st ; an d I can thin k th a t b y al l like
,

sh all do well en o ugh : he h ath a safe

g uard for him an d me both ; n evertheless we l ih ood sh all show him sel f as m a rvello us a ga i n ,

h a ve been tro ubl ed s in ce b ut n ow I un der ,

~
an d th a t in shor t time ; an d as I suppo se

s ta n d th a t he h ath a p ardon an d so we hope o ften er th an o n ce in c a ses like .

well . I tem it is so th a t my brother is un purveyed

,

T here are killed u pon the field h al f a mile (unp rovided ) of mon ey I have holpen (help ed )
fr omB a rn et on E aster d a y the E a rl of W a r
, ,

, ,
o
him to m y power an d a bo v e ; wherefore as ,

w ick the M ar qu i s M o n t a gu S ir Willi am

,
2
, it pleaseth y ou remember him for [I] ca n n o t
, ,

T yrell,3 S ir Lewi s J oh ns , a n d divers other p ur v ey for my sel f i n the sa me c ase

G od m
.

esqu ire s of o ur co un try erston , a n d ,

Wri t ten a t L on don the T h ursd ay 1 n E aster
Bo oth . week .

A n d on the K i n g E d ward s p a1t y the L ord , I hope h astil y t o see y ou All this bill .

Cromwell “ the L ord S a y,5 S ir Humphre y

,
r
must be secret 9 Be y e n ot a do ubted (s ass
.

10
Bourch ier 6 of our coun try which is a sore p iic u s
) of the world I t rus t all sh al l be well
moon yd (moa n ed) man here an d other people
o

if i t th us co n t i n u e I a m
, , ,

n ot all un do n e n or
‘

o f both p a rties to the n umber of more th an a n o n e of us a n d i f other wi se then , & c & c . .

L on don T h urs da y
, ,

1 8th o f A pr il 1 4 7 1 1 1 E IV
G eorge N evil e Archbish o p o f York —
. . .
,

1
,
i t was
fr o m thecusto dy o f thi s pre late th a t E dw a r d e sca p e d ,

a fier h a ving bee n s ur pr i se d a n d t a k en p ri s on er by giv en by an y o f O ur hi stori an s wh o s om e o f th em , , ,

th e E arl o f W a rwi ck i n 1 4 7 0 ; p erh a p s th e kin d treat m a de th e li st of sla i n to a m oun t to oth ers to

me2n t o f h is th en pri son er wn ow proc ure d h is p ardon 4 0 0 0 a n d th o se wh o S p eak th e m ost m o dera tely t o
1 500 m
.
,

T h e b o di e s o f th ese t o n o bl e m en w ere e xp o se d en . Th e b a ttl e o f B arn et b ega n o n th e

th ree days to p ublic vi ew i n S t P a ul s C ath edra l .
’
, m o rn i n g an d l a ste d till aftern oon on E a ster S un da y
, ,

a n d th e n b ur i e d a t Bi sh a m A bb ey B er k shire , . th e 1 4 th o f A r il 1 4 7 1 , .

3 S ir Willi a m T rel
y wa s c ous i n to S i r J a m es 8 Q ueen 1\ a r aret
g a n d P ri n ce E d wa1 d h er so n
, ,

T yrel th e a fterw a r ds s upp o se d m urderer o f E d

,
l an d ed at Weym outh i n Dorsetshire a bo ut th e 1 sth
, ,

w ard V an d his broth er th e D uk e o f Yor k

.
. or 1 4 th o f Ap ril .

4 H umph ery Bo urch ier thir d son o f Hen ry E a r l 9 S ir J oh n h a d suffi ci en t reaso n to sa All this “
, y ,

o f E sse x h a d s umm on s t o p arli a m en t i n 1 4 61 a s

, , bill m ust b e secret for i f th e co ncl us i on o f this
”
,

L ord Cro mw ell i n r igh t o f h i s wife

,
. l etter h a d b een seen by th e Yor k p arty his liberty , ,
5 Will i a m F ien es L or d S a
y , . i f n ot h i s li fe w o uld ha v e b een a t sta k e
,
.

m
[ We ra ther thi n k susp ected i s m ean t i e i fth ey
6 S on o f J oh n L ord Be rn ers 10 . .
.
,
7 T his n umber i s con sid erably l ess th an th e l e as t d o n othi n g to m a k e th e susp ected ]
 P AST O N L E T T E R S .
61

C C CXII —(X L I vol 1 1 p

LE T T E R . . . . .

T hi s c uri ous an d secret l etter with o ut n a m e da te or di recti on w as wr itten by so m e p erson o f co n seque nce i n
, , , ,

thi s reign an d I beli e ve by J ohn de Vere E arl of O xford a fter th e un successful battle o f Ba rn et when h e
retrea ted with so m e o f h is m
, , ,

en to w ard s Sc otlan d ; b ut di sco veri n g a d esig n to b etr y him h e pr ivate ly

T h e supplie s o f m
a ,

l ed th e m a n d we n t i n to W al e s to j o i n th e E arl o f P embro k e
, en an d m on e y & c h erei n .
, .

require d to be sen t to him w ere i n ten de d to stren gt hen th e q uee n s a rmy which was n o w with th e utm o st ’
,

e xpediti on as se mbli n g an d which before the E a rls of P e mbro ke a n d O xford could j o i n i t was tota lly
, ,

route d at T e wk esbury 0 11 th e 4 th o f M ay followi n g .

l
To the rig ht rev eren d a n d worshipf ul L a dy .

R I GH T reveren d an d worshipful l a dy I t e , this toke n ; tha t she ha th the hey t hereof , but it
c ommen d me to y ou lettin g y ou weet th a t I is broken
am
.
,

in grea t he a vin e ss a t th e m a ki n g of thi s Al so y e sh all sen d to the P rior of T h etford f

letter ; but than ked be God I amescaped
'

an d bid him sen d me the sum of gold t ha t he

mysel f, an d sudden ly dep a rted from m y m en sa id th a t I sho uld h a ve
; a l s o say to h imb y
for I un dersta n d my ch a pl a i n would h a v e this token ;4 tha t I showed himthe first p rivy
d etra yed ( betra yed ) me : an d i f he come i n to sea l &c .
,

the coun try let him be ma de sure, & c . Al so le t Paston , Felb rig, a n d B rew s, com e
Also ye sha ll give creden ce to the brin ger t o me .

of this let ter and I be seech y ou to rew a rd

,
Also ye sh all deliver the brin ger of this
him t o his co sts ; for I was n o t in power a t the le tter a n horse sa d dl e, an d bridle , .

m akin g of thi s letter to gi v e him b ut as I wa s Als o ye sha ll be o f good cheer an d take n o

tho ugh t (he n ot m
, ,

put in trust b y fa vour of stra n ge people & c , . ela n chol

y) for I sh all brin g ,

Als o y e sh all sen d me in all has te a ll the m y p urpo se 5 a bo ut n o w by the gra ce of God
re a dy mon ey tha t ye can m ake ; an d a s m an y who h a ve you in keepin g
of m y m en as can c om
.

e well hor sed, a n d tha t

‘

they come in divers p arcels .

Al so th a t m y horses be se n t with m y st eel

sa ddle s a n d bid the yeom an of the horse

cover themwith le a ther

,

2
Als o ye sh all se n d t o my mo ther an d let ,

her wee t o f thi s le tter an d pra y h er of her

blessin g, an d bid her se n d me my cas ke t by Apr il , 1 47 1 . 11 E . IV .

LE T T E R CC CXIII —(I vol v p . . . , .

H IS le tter is from J P aston to h is mo ther, clo thes leech c r a ft n or mon ey b ut upon

[ T .
, , ,

an d con t a ins an a ccoun t from J P as to n him . borrowin g an d I h a ve essa yed my frien ds so

,

sel f, of h is wo un ded sta t e , an d gre a t w a n t of far th at they begi n t o fa il n ow in m y great e st

mon ey, con firm a tory of the le tter of S ir J . n eed y et he is in hig h spiri ts most pro ,

P as to n h is brother It wa s written ba bl y from h is k n owledge of Q ueen Mar

’
in Lon do n , April 3 0, 1 47 1 ; a n d a l thou gh he g aret s retur an d of a l a rge a rmy h a vi n
n
, g
sa ys n ow I h a ve n either me a t, drin k, assembled in her fa vo ur H e a ppe ars t o ha ve .

1 M argaret daughter o f Rich a r d N evile E arl o f

, ,
4 T he p reci si on o f th e privy tok en s sh ows th e
S a lis bury an d s i ster to th e l ate E a rl o f W a rwick a n d
, , cautio n ob served lest th e mon ey &c should b e fra u
, , .

wi fe of John de V ere E arl of O x ford ,

. d ul en tl y o bta i n e d by m a ki n g use o f h i s na m e o n ly .

2 E li z a beth da ughter an d h e ir o f S ir J o hn Ho w ar d 5 T hi s S h o ws th e e xp ecta ti on s form e d by thi

, , s las t
kn i gh t wh o was un cl e to Joh n Howa rd first D uke a ttempt of th e Q ueen a n d P ri nce E dward

m
, , .

6 T h e fi rst ch a ra cter o f th s s ign a t re

o f N orfo lk o f th at n am e S h e wa s n ow th e wido w
.
i u ay b e

o f J oh n d e V ere l a te Earl o f O x ford

y P ri or of T h et ford fro m
supp o s e d to resemble a n O an d th e last a D tho u h
,
.
g , ,
3 Jo hn Vesce
,
1 4 4 1 to 1 47 9
,
. thi s is on ly sup po sition .
62 P A ST O N LE T T E R S .

been ver y san gui n e o f her suc cess for he say s , th a t he h a ve every week three bushels of
i t sh all n ot be lon g t o or tha n (bef ore) m y o a ts, a n d every d a y a pen n ywort h o f brea d
’
w ro n gs a n d o th er me n s sh a ll be redressed, for others a re t o be put to s ome good grass i n
”
the world was n ever so like t o be ours as it is h as te . H e write s a l so for s evera l articles of
n ow b ut a few d a ys a fter the b a ttle of h is w a rdrobe, a n d de sires h is mother mo st
T ewke sb ury was fo ught, an d the queen tot a lly p rtic l rly
a u a
“
th a t n obody look over my
defe a ted O n e o f the prin cipa l objects of the
. writi n gs a n d he a dds n o do ub t a n ti c i ,

lett er wa s t o proc ure mon ey M other I pa ti n g the success of h is p ar t y I th an k God

beseech y ou a n d y e m m
.
, ,

,
ay sp ar e a n y mo n ey , I a whole o f m y sickn ess an d trust t o be ,
th a t ye will do your alms on m e an d sen d me cle an whole of all m y h urts with in a sev n n igh t '

s ome in as h a sty wis e a s po ssible

”
His . a t t h e far the st b y which time I t r us t t o h a ve
,
horses, however, a ppe ar to h ave a s m u ch or o ther t idi n g s ; a n d those tidin gs o n c e h a d ,
e v en more of h is a tten tion th an h is own I tr tu s n o t to be lo g out of Nor folk
n
”
T he
m
.

a ffa irs . His direc t ion s are most m in ute on e , le tter i s sign ed J oh n of Gel ston fro ,
” ’
i f he be n ot tak yn up for the ki n g s h a wk s Gel d eston e in Norfolk, where he s ome t ime s
as m u ch me a t as he m
,

i s t o h a ve a y ea t ; re side d ]

LE T T E R C CCXIV — ( II vol v p . . . . .

T HE b a ttle of T ewk e sb ury was fough t on d own fal or r uin of on e was n ecessary t o the
ay 4 , 1 4 7 1 , an d in thi s let ter , like the l ast , ri se or m a i n te n an ce o f the o ther ; b ut a mon g
from J . Paston to h is mother, d a ted J uly 1 7 , t heir followers th e ties o f famil y rel at ionship , ,

he tell s h er, th at t hi s We d n esda y S ir frien ds hip or a c qua in t an ce though n ot suf ,

T hom as W in g fiel d se n t for me, an d le t me fic ien t to preven t their ta ki n g opposit e s ides in

w ee t th a t t h e ki n g h ad s ig n ed my bill of politic a l m atters were s eldom in efiectuall y
'

p ardon , which the sa id S ir T homas delivered urged by the de fe at ed tow a rd s their con qu erors .

me ; an d so, by Frida y , a t the farthest, I We h ave repea ted i n stan ces in t hese letters o f
t r us tto h a ve my p ardon en sealed by the the i n terferen ce of frien d s t o procure pa rdon s
c h an cellor an d soon a fter so as I can furn i s h for their politica l oppon en ts an d the presen t
me I trust to see you T h e sudden turn s in
, , ,

,
. is on e in stan ce of the fa cility with which they
politic al even ts an d in the person al O pi n ion s were gran t ed J Pasto n does n ot forge t h is
of m
. .

en a re perh a p s n ot more rem ark a ble in horse s in thi s letter, he would fa in h is gra y “

thes e times th an our o wn , b ut when the hor se were kept in mewe for gn attys tha t i s,

m
,

weightie st a rgumen ts were swords or b ulle ts, “

kept in the s ta ble ( or mews as is o ften n ow

m
i t is gr a ti fy i n g to ob serve how li t tle ran cour u sed in L on don ) t o pre serve h i from th e
exi sted in the iddle cl asses a t least a ga ins t
,
gn ats or flies an d all are t o h a ve as much
ea c h o ther . W ith the lea ders of co urse the me at as they will eat ) .

L E T T E R C CCXV — (X L II vol ii p . . . . .

T his l etter co n t a i n s n o a n ec dote s o f m uch con sequen ce y et w e m a y l e a rn from

, i t h ow littl e i n tercours e was
k ep t up b etw een on e p art of th e kin gdo m a n d a n oth er ; n o o pp ortun i ty p erh a p s h a vin g occurre d o f sen d
in g a l etter fromN o rwi ch to L on don un l es s a t th e t im e o f th e fa i r ; a n oth er thin g strik es us whi ch is
, , ,

use th a t p ilgrim s w ere o f i n con v eyi n g i n telli gen ce T h e a dvi ce which S ir J o h n hi n ts to hi s brothe r
.

i s goo d a n d h i s a n xi ous con cern for th e sa fety o f h is y o un g breth ren giv es us a fa v o urabl e o p in i on o f
,

h is k in d di sp osi ti on to w a r ds th e m .

To Mrs M a rg a ret P a ston , or to J ohn P a ston , Es quire, her son , in ha ste

. .

I th an k God, a n d h ave been ever sin ce that I

spake l ast w i th y ou ; an d m arvel for tha t ye
 P AS T O N L E T T E R S .
63

e t n ever writi n g t o me si n c e ye dep arted ; I

s n sa y I pra y you beware of yo ur guidi n g a n d
;
in chie f o f y o ur l an gua ge s o th a t fro m
,
he ard n ever s in ce th at t ime an y word o ut o f hen ce
forth by y o ur l an gua ge n o m
,

Norfolk ye might a t B artholomew fa ir l h a ve an percei v e th a t

h a d messen gers e n o ugh to L on don an d if y e , y e fa vo ur a n y person con tra ry to the kin g s
’

h ad se n t to Wyke s he sho uld ha ve co n v e y ed pleasure .

it t o me I heard yesterda y t h at a Worsted I un derstan d t ha t the L ord Ri v ers 5 h a th

man of Norfolk, th at sold worsteds at W in
.

licen ce o f th e ki n g to go t o Port ugal n ow

’
c hester sa id t h at m y L ord of Norfolk an d
,
within this sev n n ig h t .

m y l a d y were on pilgrima ge a t our l a d y 2 on I pra y y ou recommen d me t o my mo ther ,

foo t a n d so the y we n t to C a ister ; a n d th a t a n d b eseech her o f her ble ssi n g on m y beh al f

(Heref ollow som p a ym

, .

a t Norwich on e sho ul d h a ve h a d l a rge l a n e direct ion s a bout en ts

of
g uage t o y ou, a n d c alled y o tr itor an d
u a
3
,

picked m an y quarrel s t o y ou ; sen d me word Item, I pra y y o u sen d me word if a n y of

thereo f ; i t were well don e tha t y e were a o ur frien d s or well willers be de a d fo r I fe ar
-

l i ttle surer o f y o ur p ardon th an y e be th a t there is gre a t dea th in Norwich an d i n

a vis e y o u, I deem ye wil l here after el se other boro ugh tow ns in Norfolk ; for I e n sure
repen t you .
y ou i t is the most un i v ersa l de a t h th a t e v er
,

I un derstan d th a t B as ta rd Fa ucon b rid ge 4 I wist in E n gl an d ; for by m y tr uth, I c an n o t

is ei ther hea ded or like t o be an d h is brother he ar b y pilgrim s th at p ass the co un try n or
bo th ; some m n o n e other m
, ,

en sa y he wo uld h a ve de served an th a t rideth or goeth a n

y
it an d some say n a y . c o un try th at an y borough town in E n gl an d
,

I purpose to be a t L on don the first d ay o f is free from th at s ickn ess ; God ce as e i t when
the term s en d me word whether ye sh all be
,
i t please him 6 .

’
there or n ot . Where fore for God s sake le t my mo ther
, ,

Item I wo uld weet whether ye h ave spoken

,
ta ke heed t o my youn g bre thre n tha t they b e
wi th my L a d y of Nor folk or n ot a n d of her n ot in n on e pl a ce where th a t s ickn e ss is reign
,

in g n or tha t they di sport n ot wi th n on e other

’
dispo sitio n an d the ho usehold s t o me a n d to ,

y ou w ards an d whether it be a possible

,
yo un g people which resorteth where a n y sick
n e ss is ; an d if there be an
(thing ) t o h a ve C a i ster a ga in an d their good y of th a t sickn ess
wi lls, or n ot . dea d or en fec t (inf ected ) in Norwich, for God s ’

A n d a l so I pra y y ou un dersta n d wh a t fel sake le t her s en d them t o some frie n d of hers

l owsh ip an d gu idin g is in C a i ster ; an d ha ve i n to the c oun try an d do ye the same by min e

a s y re sort i n g in an d o ut, so m
,

ay ye k n ow a dv ice ; le t my mo ther ra ther remove her

p
the secrets a mon gst them hous ehold i n to the coun try
T here is m uch a d o i n the North, as m
. .

en E ven n ow T h y rst on brough t me word from

L on don th at i t was D octor Allen th at ca used
1 Ba rt ho l o m e w fa i r, in S mith fi l d e yo ur trouble tha t y e h a d a t N orWich ; a n d
th a t J oh n P am
'
.

2 O f W a l si n gh am
p yn g rode for a di sch a rge for
.

3 T hisre er to t e p art h e h ad ta k en previ o us to

f s h ,
.

a n d a t th e re sto ra t ion o f Hen ry VI y ou a n d th a t he h ath sped well b ut h ow

th e n atura l son o f William
, . , ,
4 T h o m a s N e vil e
, tha t wo t I n ot ; i f ye be clea r out o f D octor
,
L ord F a ucon b erg ca lle d th e Ba sta rd F a uco n berg
’

Al len s d an ger keep y ou there a n d here

ye m
, ,
,
h a vin g a dh ere d to Hen ry V I wa s on h is ta kin g th e .
,
a ft er ay f as well a t h is c ar te
s co f
g overn m en t appo in ted vice a dmiral of th e Ch a n n e l
,
-
,

which pl ace on th e ch an ge o f a ff irs h e l ost ; a n d (9 cost) I pray y ou sen d me word of all the
b ei n g a m
,
a ,
.

a n o f l oose ch a racter first t urn e d pi ra te , , form of h is dea lin g with y ou .

n d th e n l an din g collecte d a la rge ar my with I ha d a lmost spoke n wi th Mrs An n e

'
a , , ,

which h e a ttempted to s urpri se L on don ; wh ere

.

bein g repul sed h e retired a n d o n th e ki n g s a d

, ,
’ Ha wte b ut I did n o t n evertheless thi s n ex t
, ,

v an c i n g to wa r d s him submi tted ; wh en h e wa s n o t term I hope t o ta ke on e way wi th her or

on ly p a rdon ed b ut k n ighted an d a ga in a pp o i n te d ,

vice a dmira l T his h appen ed in M ay 1 47 1 b ut

. , ,

w as o f sh ort co n tin ua n ce for b etween th e 1 sth an d

pil grima ge
6 I d o n o t fin d thi s y a r m
, 5 On a
2 9 th o f S ep te mb er foll o wi n g h e wa s b eh eaded
.

th ough wh eth er for an y fresh crim

,
e ark e d by our hi stor ian s
e or n ot is un ~
as a y ea r of s ickn ess
cert a in
.

.
64 P AST O N LE T T E R S .

o ther ; sh e is greed t o speak w i th m e

a
,
L o n don he was 20 0 en , a n d n o an weeteth m m
an d sh e hope th to do me e as e a s sh e (kn oweth) where he i s become n ot yet T h e .

saith . L ords H as t i n g s an d H ow ard be in C al a is

I pra y y ou sen d me word h ow ye do with an d h a v e it pe a ce ably ; an d S ir W alter
my L ad y E li zabeth Bourch ier ye ha ve a , W rottesl y an d S ir Je ffrey G a te be comin g
little ch afed it b ut I c an n ot t ell how ; sen d the n ce , a n d will be a t L on do n thi s d ay
m e w ord whether ye be in be tt er h 0 pe or as it is sa id .

wor se .

'
Wri tt e n a t W alth a m bes ide W in che ster
I hear sa y th a t t he E arl o f O xford s the d a y n ex t H olyroo d d a y 3 .

brethre n be gon e out of san c t ua ry l S ir . J O HN P a sr o n , kn ight '

.

T hom as F ul forth ” is go n e out of sa n c tua ry ,

an d a gre a t fellow ship fe t ched him a three
13 th or 1 sth of S e p te mb er ,
,
1 47 1 . 11 E IV
sc ore, an d they sa y th a t w ithin five mile s of
.

C CCXVI —(X LIII vol ii p

LE T TER . . . . .

We m ay fro m thi s l etter pick o ut so m e cur i o us p a rt ic ul a rs rel a t ive to th e ch urch o f Bro mh o lmP ri o ry in N or
fo lk a n d lik e wise form so m e pl a n o f th e e m
,
battle d m ans ion o f th e P s to us a t Gresh a m i n N orfol k buildi n gs a
,

t which are n o w b oth in ruin s

T o hi s well beloved J ohn P a ston , Es quire, a t N orwich, or to M rs M a rg a ret, his m
.

-
other . .

I CO MM E N D m e t o you le ttin g y ou wee t th a t,

,
how m u ch is from the n orth ga te where the
&c . H
( 4 eref ollows a n a ccoun t tha t the Duchess brigg w as a t s a
6
Gre h m to the so uth wall,
a n d Duke o N orf o lk in ten d a a in a n d in like form from t he e as t side to t he
f
'

of S fi
u olk g
c om m en c in
g app ea ls ag a ins t S ir J ohn P a ston west ; a l so the heigh t of the eas t w all, a n d
a n d his brother &c con cern ing Ca ister &c ) the height o f the so u t h e as t tower from the
gro un d, if ye m
-
. .
, ,

I would fain h a ve the me as ur e where my ay eas ily Also wha t brea d th

m m
.

fa t her lie t h a t B ro h o l 5
; bo th the thick every t ower is within the w al l, an d which
n ess a n d c omp ass o f the pill a r a t h is he a d ,
t ower is more th an other wi thin Als o how .

a n d from t h a t the sp a ce to the a l tar a n d ,

m an y foo t, or wh a t bre a dth e a c h t ower ta ke th
t he thickn ess of th a t alta r an d ima gery o f ,
w ithin ea ch corn er o f the qua dra te over
h w 7 th e doors an d how m an y ta ilor s y ards
'

an d wh a t heigh t the a rc h is t o
'

t imber work t ar t ,

the groun d of t he a i sle a n d how high the

m
,

g roun d o f the choir is hi gher th an the groun d T h i s an si o n , b uil t by th e S tutev illes , was , by
6

of th e a i sle .
l icen ce fro m E dw ar d II , e mba ttled b y th e Ba con s ;
.

S i r Will i a m P as to n th e j udg e , p urch as ed thi s esta te

I tem , I pr a y y ou le t the meas ure by pa ck , .

7 T he
drawi n g, here given in th e or igi n a l letter, is
threa d be taken , or el se meas ured by y ard, i n te n de d, by S ir John P asto n , for a pla n of th e q ua d
r an gl e a t Gresh a m , a n d if we supp ose tha t th e p ro
I '
th e reign o f Hen ry VIII all o ur church es
fi ll jec tion in th e s ide rep res en ts th e b ridg e. th en tha t
m
.

a n d ch urch y ar d s w ere sa n ctua ri es an d p ote cted , r m ust be th e n orth side an d so w e h a ve a co plete

,

tra i to rs m urderers & c i f withi n forty days th ey

, , .
i ch n o gra phy of the wh ole .

a ck n owl edge d th ei r fa ul t a n d s u bmi tt ed th e m se lv es

to b an ish m en t g—
,

th e m ost e min en t sa n ctuari es in

En glan d w ere S t J oh n s o f Be verley S t M arti n s
’ ’
. .
,

L e Gran d Rip on i n Yor kshire S t Burien s in Co rn

’
, , .

w a ll a n d Westmin ster
,
.

2 S ir T ho m as F ulfor d was so n o f S ir B a ldw in

F ul ford beh ead ed at Bristo l in 1 4 6 1 ; he likewi se

,

en ded h is li fe o n th e scafio ld '

3 Ho lyroo d d a
y 1 4 th o f S e p tember
, .

4 E li z a beth s i ster o f E dwa rd IV .

,
5 J oh
n P as to n w as m o st sump tuo us ly b uri ed i n th e
riory ch urch of Bro m h ol m i n 1 4 6 6 ; th ese m eas ures
psuppose were req uired in order to a dopt a plan for .

h is m on um
,

en t .
66 P AS T O N LE T T E RS .

therefore in h aste ; I m us t el se n eed sell al l b uy wi th sugar, fig s, an d dates, for me I

my woods, an d th at sh a ll disa v a il him better pra y y e do a s well as ye can a n d sen d i t me
a s h as tily as ye m
,

than a cc m ark s an d I die ; a n d if I sho uld a y ; an d sen d me word wh a t

m
.

s ell them n ow there w ill n o an give s o m u c h price a po un d of pepper cloves, m a ce gin ger , , ,
'

for them by n e a r an 0 m a rks as the y be . ci n n a mo n , almon ds rice, gal an gal , sa firon ,

,

worth , bec a use there be so m an y wood sales r a i si ns of Cori n th (curra n ts) , greyn es (p ro
ba bly g ra in s of P a ra dise) a n d c om
"
i n Nor folk a t t hi s t ime S h e pro c eed s t o re
. fits of e a ch , ,

c o un t how m u ch sh e h as given a n d p a id for S ir o f the se sen d me the pri c e o f a poun d, a n d i f

J oh n , a n d m ake s some thre a ts a s t o wh a t m

.

ay i t be be tter che a p a t L o n do n than it is here ,

t ake pla ce on her dea th T h e rest of the le t ter

. I sh all sen d you mon ey t o b uy w i th such as
i s of co un try n ews, de ath s sick n e ss & c b ut , ,
.
, I will
s h e a dds, I sen d y ou h al f a ria l (5s ) for t o .

LE T '
rE R C CCX VIII — (X L IV vol . . . 11. p .

M argaret q ueen o f Hen ry VI wa s ta k en . after th e b a ttle of T ewkesbury an d c on tin ued a p r i son er till 1 47 5
, ,

wh en sh e was ra nso m e d by h er fa th er , for cro wn s which h e b orro wed of L ewi s X I kin g o f France
,
. .

To y mt h
m os on oura ble a n d tend er m
oth er, M a rg a ret P a st on , be this letter d elivered .

M O S T wor ship ful an d ki n d moth er, I commen d beddin g how soever h e do though I shoul d ,

me t o y ou, an d bese ech y ou of yo ur da ily give 20 s e n tas by h is a dvice t o my L a dy

blessi n g an d remembr an c e P le as e i t y ou . Bran don or some other good fellow .

1
t o weet th a t I h a ve my p ardon , as the A s for an y t idi n gs the re be n o n e here ,

b e arer hereof c an i n form y ou, for com for t s a ve th at the ki n g h a th kept a roy a l Chri s t

whereo f I h a ve been th e merrier thi s Chri st mas ; an d n ow they say th a t h astily he will
mas ; an d h ave 2been p ar t thereof w ith S ir n orth, a n d some sa y th a t he will i n to W a les,

George Brow n e, an d with my l a dy mi n e a n d s ome say th a t he wi l l in t o the we st co un t ry .

a un t h is wi fe ; an d before T wel fth A s for Q uee n M a rg a re t I un ders ta n d th a t

3
I c a me to ,
4
my lord arch bi shop, where I h ave h a d as sh e is removed from Wi n d sor t o W alli n gford

n igh t o E wel m
,
'

g rea t c heer, an d bee n a s welcome as I co uld my L a dy of S ufiolk s pl a ce

'

,
d e v i se ; an d i f I h a d bee n i n surety th a t in O x fordshire
And m
.

C a ister were h a d a g a in I woul d h a ve come en sa y t h a t t he L ord Rivers shipped

homew ar d thi s d ay C hri stm as even i n t o (un to) Portu g al
w a rd ; I a mn ot certa i n
. on

( H ere ollow d irect ion s a bout Ca ister, a n d a

f
m
.

h op e tha t it ig ht be ha d ag a in by the la tt er Al so there sh all be a c on voca tio n of the

m m m clergy in all h as t e, which m
"
e nd
of the ter , when he w ould c o e ho e, en deem will
a n d p ut h is la n ds a n d h o es in to ord er m
) And . a va il the ki n g a d ym e (ten th) an d a n h alf
I besee c h y ou t o remember my bro ther t o do some say 1 beseech God sen d y ou good
m
.

h is d ev y r (en deavour
) th a t I ay h a ve a ga i n health a n d gre at er j oy i n o n e ye ar th an ye
my stuff 5 my book s, an d vestmen ts an d m y ,
h a ve h a d these seven Wri tten a t th e M oor
. ,

the 8 th d ay of Jan uary, in the 1 1 th o f

F or j o i n i n g th e fr ien ds of Hen ry VI i n order to
1 .
E dw ard IV
h i s re stor t i on
T a .

2 S ir G eorge Brown e kn igh t o f B eechwort h By your son ,

, ,

C a stl e in S urr
,

3 T w e l fth d a J O H N PA S T O N , kn ight
y 6th o f J a n uary
.
.
,
4 G e org e Ne vile Archbi sh o p o f Y or k
T uesd a y ,
.
,
5
T h ese w ere wh at h ad b ee n t a k en a t Cai ster I
s upp ose .
,
sth of Ja n ua ry ,
-
2 . 1 1 E IV . .
 P AST O N LE T T E R S 67

LE TC CCXIX — (X L V vol n i p
T E R . . . .

W e h ave in thi s letter a cl ue to con d uct us towards a disc o very o f th e reas on for th e D uke o f Gl o ucester s ’

disli ke to h is broth er the D uk e o f Clarence an d if thi s acco un t be true i t h ad a reas on a ble foun dation T h e
, .

Duk e of Gloucester was desirous o f m arry in g A n n e (n ow the wido w o f P i n ce Ed wa rd so cruelly m urdered r ,

a t T ewk e s b ury) d augh ter an d co —

, h ei r of th e great E ar l of War wick an d sister to I sab el D uch ess of Claren ce , .

T hi s alli an ce w e h ere fin d wa s o ppo se d by the D uk e o f Cl a re n ce ; n o t fro m an y p o in t o f delicacy resp ect i n g

th e m urder of this lady s l a te h usb an d (for accordi n g to o ur historian s h e was equally con cern ed i n that
’
,

h orrid ac t with h is broth er ) b ut beca use he di d n o t relish th e though t o f parti n g wi th h er sh are of th e pos
sess i on s n ow v e ste d i n him by h i s wi fe I s ab e l th e eld est da ugh te r a n d cc —
,

, h eir of Rich a rd N evile E ar l o f

, ,

War wick ; h is a ppa ren t des ig be i n g to dep r iv e th e yo un ger daughter o f h er m oi ety o f h er p a tern a l i nh e
r ita n ca a n d retai n i t all him sel f T hi s wa s th e p art n ot on ly of a cove to us b ut o f an unj ust m
n

, . an an d very ,

p robably produce d th at spirit of re ven g e which a fter wards en de d in h is destructi on .

To J ohn P a st on , E sq , be this letter delivered. .

B R O T H E R I commen d me t o y ou an d pr a y fo r my L ord of Glouce ster ; an d as it is sa id

he an swereth th a t he m
, ,

ay well h a v e m y l a dy
1
y o u to look u p m y T emple o f Gl as s an d ,
s e n d it me b y the be arer hereo f . h is s i ster in l a w, but they sh all p a rt n o
- -

Item as for tidi n gs I h a ve spoken with

, ,
livelihood as he sa ith, so w hat will fall can
M rs An n e Hawte a t a pre tty lei sure an d
.
,
I n ot say .
.

ble ssed be God we be as far forth as we were T hi s d a y I purpo se to see m y La dy of

to fore, an d so I hope we sh all co n tin ue ; a n d Nor folk 2 a ga in in good hour be it ,
.

I promi sed her tha t a t the n ext leis ure th a t I T here is proflered me merch an ts for S porle
'

c o ul d fin d thereto , th a t I would come a ga i n wood God sen d me good sale when I begin ;
,

a n d see her ; which will ta ke a lei sure a s I th a t poor wood is sorel y m an a ged an d trea ted
( ) .

deem n ow, sin ce thi s observan ce is over don e Yet wot I n ot whether I come home be fore
I p urpose n ot to tempt God n o more so . E as ter or n ot, I shall sen d y ou word ; n o
Yesterda y the kin g the quee n m y L or d s , ,
more & c ,
.

of Cl aren ce an d Glo u ce st er we n t to S he n e Wri tt en th e fir st T u esda y of L en t

to pardon ; m
.
,

en sa y n ot a ll in ch a ri ty ; wh a t J O HN P A ST O N , k nig ht
will fall m
.

en c an n ot sa
y .
esd a y Tu ,

T h e ki n g e n tre ateth my L ord of Cl aren ce 1 7 th o f F e br uary 1 4 7 1 ,

-
2 . 11 E . . IV .

LE T TE R CC CXX —(X L VI vol . . . 11. p .

T he prop orti on in g o f th e m on ey l eft a m on gst th e cre di tors to p ay th e d eb ts seem s to b e fa i r b ut h ow S ir

, , , ,

J oh n s p art sh o uld be j ustly w orth three th e b es t I do n o t un dersta n d [T h e letter is a fa v o ura ble sp ecimen
’
.

o f th e epi stol a ry s tyl e o f th e a e T h e subj ects are va ri ous th o ugh n o t imp o rta nt a n d a re a l l to uch ed
g . ,

up o n w ith a li gh tn ess an d e as e th a t m a k e th e wh ol e i n te resti n g His pr ai se o f the E a rl of A rra n h o w ever

‘

.
, ,

s ee m s s o m ewh at e xt ra v aga n t th ough e x tre m ely w ell s a id

, ) .

To m
y rig ht worshipf ul brother, S ir J ohn P a ston , K n ig ht .

R I GH T wor shipful S ir I recommen d me to the ity which di v ision is n ot ye t m ade

quan t
(Her ef ollows a n a ccoun t of som e m
, , ,

y ou . on e
y b u t w he n it is m a de he h a th promi sed m e .

t ra n sa ct ion s &c ) Item M as ter J oh n S m y the

,
.
,
tha t your pa rt sh all be worth three the
t elleth me th a t S ir T L yn ey s good s a re n ot
.
’
best & c ,
.
’

a ble t o p ay a quarter of h is debt s th a t be Item a s for on e of Bern e y s horse whoso

h ath l eas t n eed to h im he sha ll cost him
, ,

as ked him wherefore su ch mo n ey as is bele ft

it m ust be di v ided to every m

, , ,

an a p art a fter 20 m ark s ( l 3l Gs 8d ) n ot a p en n y le ss

. . . .

1 Ap oem wri tten by S teph e n Haw es

, , wh o flo u 2 z ab eth D uch ess o f N orfo lk wa s th e da ughter
E li ,

rish ed i n t h e 1 5 th ce n t ury . o f J o h n T a lb o t th e fi rst E arl o f S h rewsli ury .

F f
z
 m
63 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

Ye sen t me word o f t he m arria ge o f y the most c o urteo us ge n tlest wisest kin dest , , , ,
L a d y Jan e ; on e m a rri age for a n other on e , mo s t compan io n a ble freest la rgest a n d , , ,
Nor se a n d Bedford were asked 1 in t h e mo st bo un teo us k n igh t my lord the E a rl of ,
ch urch on S un da y l as t past 2
Arr a which h a th m a rried the ki n g s sister
A s for m
'
. n ,

y s i ster A n n e m y mother will o f S cotl an d H ere t o he is on e the lighte st

-

d el yn erst (n im
, .
,
n o t remove from W Yelver t o n fo r Bed n bles t) be st spoke n fa ire st a rcher
.
y g ,
feld for sh e h a th commun ed fa rther i n th a t
, d evoutest m ost per fect a n d tr ue st to h is
, ,
m atter sin ce y e were in thi s co un tr y as it , la dy o f a ll the kn ights th a t e v er I was
a ppe a reth in her letter th a t sh e se n det h a c ua i n t ed with
y ou q ; so wo uld God my l a dy ,
b y T hyrston liked me a s well as I do his person a n d most
k n ightl y co n dition s with whomI pra y y ou
.

T idi n gs here my L a dy o f Nor folk i s with

,
,
chi ld sh e wen eth (thin keth) her sel f an d so , to be a c qua i n ted as (to ) y ou seemeth best ;
do all the wome n a bo ut her i n som uc h sh e , he is lodged a t the George in L omba rd
w a its the quicke n i n g within these six week s street H e h a th a book of m y sister An n e s
.
“ '

a t the fa rthe s t Also W G urn e y we n eth

. .
of the S iege of T hebe s when he h a th do n e ,
tha t H ey do n i s sure o f S a xthorpe, a n d th a t wit h it he promis ed to deli v er it y ou I .

L a d y Bole y n of G uy ton pr a y you let P ortl a n d brin g the book home

with h im P ortl an d is lo d ged a t the George
.

J oh n O s bern a d v iseth you t o t ake bre a th .

for the wood sa le a t S porle for he h a th c a s t , i n L omba rd street a l so -

.

i t th a t i t is worth a s good as n i n e score po un ds A n d t hi s I promi se yo u ye sha ll n ot be so

Bew a re of M on ta yn for he m
.
,
ay n ot a y lon g a ga in witho ut a bill from me a s ye
p
, y ou ,
so m u ch mo n ey with h is e a se .
h a v e been though I sho uld write h o w oft th e
,
I pra y y ou recomme n d me to S ir J ohn wi n d chan ge th, for I see b y y o ur writi n g y e
P a rre with a ll m y ser v ice a n d tell him by ,
c ro s s e it
0 “ o .
"
m y troth I lon ged n e v er s orer to see m y c an be wr ath an d ye will for li ttle .
3
l a d y th a n I do to see h is m as tership ; a n d I
pra y God th a t h e ari se n e v er a mor n i n g fro m
Hf “ o f“ 0
0 -

Written th e 5 th d a y of Ju n e .

m y l a d y h is wi fe withou t it be a g a i n st h er
, J o ur: PA S T O N .

will till s uch t ime as he bri n g her to o ur

,
J un e 1 4 7 2 1 2 E IV
5 th of

(O r p erh ap s i t m
.

L a d y o f W a l si n gh a m
.
, ,

a y b e 5 th o f J un e
.
,

Al so I pra y y o u to recomme n d me in my 1 4 7 0 1 0 E IV , S ee L etter ccxcix )

. . .

mo st h um ble wise un to the good lordship o f

LET T E R C C CX X I —(IV v ol v p
. . . .

O HN P as to n i n thi s let ter procee d s wi t h the im a gin a tion a n d to all other officers of the
[ J '
,

a ffa i rs of S ir J L yn ey s ( or L y n e s) , w ho s e
. co urt sho uld n ot dra w pas t twen t y pe n ce ”
, .

e ffects he sa ys, i n this co un tr y dra we th b ut T h e res t o f the l etter is chiefl y a bo u t his .

5 L ; he recomme n ds h is brother to sen d an mother i n ten din g to settle her property by

in ven tor y o f S ir J L y n ey s good s, & c , i n
'

. . will a n d of his o wn di sa greemen t with S ir

,

L on do n , which i n ven tor y if o n ce h a d , ye J G l o ys

. M an y quarrel s a re picked to g et
.

sh a ll h a v e a s cometh to y o ur p a rt a n d more m y brother E dm un d a n d m e o ut of her (h is

a l so b ut th a t his debts dr a w 3 0 1 1 8 8 6d
.
. . .
’
mother s) ho use ; we go n ot to bed un chidden
H e sta te s a ls o th a t there is s ome obj ectio n s to
S ir J P a stou s bill for the fun er al , i n which
.
'

2om as B oyd E a rl o f A rran in 1 4 66 a rri ed

Th ,

M ary da ughter o f J a m es II a n d si ster o f J a m es

, , m
t we n t y shilli n g s is ch a rged for wa x (lights , we , .

which to M a ster J oh n S mith s III ki n gs o f S cotl a n d He was a pp o i n te d reg en t

suppo se)
'
. .
, ,

b ut b co mi n g un p o p ul a r was ba n i sh e d a n d di d i n
e , , e

exile b e fo re 1 4 7 4
mrri
.

3 T h ese t w o wor d s are crossed a s h ere rep resen te d

la n n s of a g e w e h ere
a fin d w ere p ubli she d .

at hi s tim e i n
t t h e ch urch . an d o xer th e m i s wr itte n cro sse i t ,
 P A ST O R L ET T E RS
r
. 69

lightly ; a l l th a t we do is ill don e a n d all th a t -

, h appi n ess a risin g from the improper pred om i

S ir Ja me s a n d P e a cock doth is well do n e -
. n a n ce o f a dome stic
( S ir J ames Gl oys was
S ir Ja me s a n d I be twa in : we fell o ut be fore priest an d co n fessor to h is mother) in
m y mother, with thou pro ud prie st a n d‘
,
’
mily S ir Ja me s however died i n 1 47 3
.
, , ,
’
tho u pro ud squ ire, my mother t aki n g h is when a dmi n i stra tion o f h is e ffec ts was g ran ted
p art so I h a v e almo st besh ut the bolt ( ba rred t o M arga ret P aston T h e letter is d a te d
m
.
,
”
yself out) as for m y mo ther s ho use T his is Wedn e sd a y J uly 8 1 47 2 ]
'

.
, ,

a c urio us picture of the disc on ten t a n d n u

LE T CC C X XII —( X L VII vol 1 1 p

TE R . . . . .

T hi s l etter exhibits to us a lm o st a pict ure o f m o dern m an n ers i n th e term s an d a ddress used in reco mm en di n g ,

a m e mber o f p a rli am en t to th e corp orati on o f M a ldon T h e a ge n t o f th e gre a t l a dy w ri tes to th e b a il i r

. f of
th e boro ugh an d to th e ten an ts & c to use th eir i n fl uen ce with th e electo rs i n fa v o ur o f S ir J oh n P as ton a
, ,
.
, ,

fri en d o f th e la dy s in th e goo d grace s o f th e ki n g an d in th e i n terest o f th e l coun cil a n d th e l ord ch a m

’
, ,

b erlain It a pp ears too th a t a sea t i n p arliam en t was then an obj ect o f p ursuit an d n ot a burden l a id up o n
.
, ,

th e representative a s we a re i n for m ed b y s om e o f o ur hi stor i n s a n d a l th o ugh w e a re a p t to supp o se th a t th e re

'

is n o w m ore i n terest m a de a n d m ore briber y us e d in obtai n i n g a seat in th e Ho use o f C o mm on s t h an th e re

.

w a s three h un dred ye ars ago ; th e desire o f p a rli a m en ta ry i n terest w e h ere see was m uch th e s a m e , , .

E n gi n es w ere set at w ork th e p atro n ge o f th e grea t w as h e ld o ut a n d p ro mi s es w ere m a de e v en a s at thi s

,
a ,

d a y ; a n d th o ugh th e fr ien ds o f a can didate w o uld n o t n o w com e fro m divers p a rts o f th e co un try to N o r
wi ch (see th e n e xt letter) brea k thei r fa sts a n d return h o m e ag ai n at th e e xp en s e o f th e ca n did ate fo r a
, , ,

bill m o un tin g to n in e shillin gs a n d on e pen n y h a l fpen n y yet th e m o tiv e is still th e sa m e th e m a n n ers

a , , ,

cus to m s an d exp en ses o f th e tim es formin g th e on ly di fferen ce [ T he p ostscript con ta i n s also a gen tly
, .

i ns in uate d threat th at h e is comi n g fo r th e ren ts ]

,
.

To m
y ig ht t r rus t
y f rien d John Ca ren ton ba ilifi of M a ld on
'

R IGH T tr usty frien d, I commen d m e to y ou ,

my l a dy s serva n ts t en an ts, an d well willers,
-
,

prayin g y ou t o c all to yo ur mi n d, tha t like t o give their voices t o the sa id S ir J ohn P a s

a s ye a n d I comm un ed of it were n ece ssa ry ton an d th a t y e fa il n ot t o s peed my l a d y s
'

, ,

for m y la d y an d y ou a ll, her s er v an ts an d i n ten t in this m a tter a s y e i n ten d to do her a s

ten an ts , t o h a v e this p arlia men t a s for on e of grea t a pleas ure as i f y e ga v e her a n 1 0 0 1 .

th e bu rge sse s o f the tow n of M aldo n such a A n d God h a v e y ou in h is keepi n g Writte n

man of worship an d of wit as were towards
.
'
,

a t Fishl y, the 20 th d a y of S eptember

my sa id la d y ; a n d also such on e a s is in
.

JA M E S A R E L A S T E R 1 .

fa v o ur of the kin g an d o f the lord s of h is

,

co un c il n igh a bo ut h is perso n certifyin g

y ou th a t my sa id l a dy for her p art a n d s uch
,

as be of her co un cil be mo st a gree a ble th a t

,

both ye an d all such a s be her farmers an d

te n an ts an d well willers should give yo ur
-

voice t o a worshipful kn ight a n d on e of my ,

’
l a dy s c o un cil , S ir J ohn P as ton ; which stan ds I pr a y y ou be read y wi th a ll the a ccoun ts
grea tly in fa vour with my lord C h amberla in belon gi n g to m y l a d y a t the fa rthest withi n
a n d wh a t my sa id lord C h a mberl a i n m
,
a y do e i ght d a y s n ext a fter P ardo n S un d ay for ,
with th e ki n g an d with all the l ords of E n gl a n d, the n I sh all be with y o u with God s gra ce ’

,
I trow it be n ot un kn own to y ou most o f an y who h a ve y o u in keepin g
on e m
.

an a li v e Where fore by the me an s of

.
,
Fish l y ,
the sa id S ir J ohn P aston to my sa id lord S un day 2 ot h o f S p
, e tember ,

c ha mberl a i n both my l a dy a n d ye o f the 1 2 E IV

to w n co uld n o t ha ve a meeter (p rop erer) m
, 1472 . . .

an

to be for y ou in the p a rli amen t to h ave y our

n eed s sped in terests orwa rded a t all s eas o n s
( f ) . 1J am es A rbl a ster E sq ,
.
, a g en tleman of fort un e in
Wherefore I pray you l a bo ur all suc h as be th e co un ty of N orfo lk .
70 P AS TO N LE T T E R S .

LER C C CXXIII —(X L VIII vol 1 1 p

TT E
‘

. . . . .

W e h av e h ere a curious descrip ti on o f th e co un cil o f a great m an a n d fin d i t com p ose d o f gen tlemen o f ,

family an d fortun e M atters resp ecti n g th e prop erty o f their l ord co m e before th em th ey debate up on th e
b ut i f th at o pi n i o n d i fiered fro m th at o f th e great m
. ,

s ub iec t an d deliv er th ei r opi n i on an w e fin d h e too k ,

th e lib erty o f ado p ti n g h is o wn

'

To m
y r ig ht worshipf ul brother, S ir J ohn P a ston
,
K n ight .

R I G HT worshipful S ir I recommen d me t o ,
b ut I t ook my o wn a d v ice an d delivered i t t o
,

y o u ; le tt i n g y ou weet th a t yo u r de sire as for ,

the coun cil with a proposition therewith, as
the k n igh ts of the shire was an impossi ble
1
,
well as I could spe ak i t ; an d my words were
( thing ) t o be bro ugh t a bo ut ; for my L ord o f well ta ken , b ut your le tter a thousan d fold
N orfol k an d
g my L ord of S uffolk 3
were a greed better ; when the y ha d rea d i t they showed it
more th an a fortn igh t a g o to ha v e S ir Robert to m y la dy ;4 after th a t my l a dy ha d s een i t
W yn g fiel d an d S ir Rich ard Harcour t an d th a t ,
I spoke with my la dy, o fferin g t o m y lord
k n ew I n ot t ill i t wa s Frid a y l ast p ast I h a d an d her your ser v ice an d bes ides tha t ye t o

sen t ere I rode to Fr amli n gh a mto w a rn a s

. , ,

do m y lord a pleas ure 5 an d her a better, so as

man y of your frien ds to be a t Norwich as this ye migh t depa rt without a n y sumspe c ified ;
_

M on d a y, t o serve your i n te n t a s I co uld ; b ut sh e woul d n ot tell in th a t m a tt er b ut remi tt ed ,

whe n I c ame t o Fra mli n gh a m an d k n e w the me a ga in t o the co un cil, for she sa id an d she
a ppoi n tm
,

en t th a t was ta ken for the t wo k n igh ts spoke in it till my lord an d the coun cil were
,

I sen t w ar n i n g aga in t o as m an y as I might a greed, they wo uld l a y the weigh t of all the
,

to tarry a t home ; a n d ye t there c a me to Nor m a tter on her, which sho uld be reported to
her sh am
_

wich thi s d a y as m a n y as their co sts drew to e ; but thi s sh e promised t o be help ,

~

l %d p a id an d reckon ed by Pe a c ock an d
.
in g so i t were fir st mo v ed b y the coun cil ;
R C apron ; an d y et they did but brea k their
.
then I wen t t o the c oun cil an d o ffered before
fas t an d depa r ted ; an d I than ked them in them y our service to m y lord an d t o do him a ,

y our n a me an d t old them th a t ye would ha v e

,
leas ure for th e h avi n g a ga in of y our pla ce
,

n o voice as thi s d ay for ye supposed n ot t o be an d l an ds in C a i st er n ot s pe aki n g of y our

,

in E n glan d when t he p arli ame n t should be ; stuff n or thi n g el se ; so the y a n swered me

a n d so they c a me n ot a t the S hire ho use for -

,
y our o ffer was more than reas on able an d if ,

if they h a d it w as though t b y such as be y our ,

the m atter were their s, they sa id the y wis t ,

frien d s here th a t y our a dver sarie s wo uld ha ve

, (kn ew) wha t con scien ce would drive them to,
repor ted tha t ye h a d m a de l abo ur t o h a v e been the y sa id they wo uld mo v e my lord with it,
on e a n d th a t ye co uld n ot bri n g your an d s o the y did ; b ut then the tempest aro se,
, p ur
an d h eg av e th em su ch an an swer tha t n o n e of
po se a bo ut .

I sen t to Yarmouth an d they h ave promised ,

them all would tell i t me ; but when I as ked
an a n swer of them they sa id ; A n d (if )
al so t o D oc t or Aleyh an d J ohn R us se t o be
s ome lord s or gre a ter m en moved my lord
b urg esses ) more th an three week s a g o
( .

with i t the m a tter were yours

Ja mes Arbl a ster h a th wri tte n a le tt er t o the , (keep co un
sel
ba ili ff o f M aldon in E ssex t o h ave y ou a ) A n d with this ans wer I departed, b ut
b urgess there ; how Jude sh all speed let hi m T ym
.

S ir W Bran don
. S outhwell
, perley,,

tell y ou when ye speak together .

Ha rry We n t wor th W G urn ey a n d all o ther
,
.
,

o f co un cil un der sta n d th a t y e h a ve wron g ;

S ir I h a v e bee n twice a t Fra mli n gham
,

s i n ce yo u r dep artin g ; b ut n ow th e l a st time .

i n som u ch t hat the y mo v ed me tha t y e shoul d
the coun cil was there I saw y our letter which ,
ta ke a recompen se of other lan d t o the val ue ,

was better th an well en dited R C was n ot . . .

b ut the y would n ot av o w the o ffer ; for I
a n swered them if the y h a d righ t the y wo ul d
a t Fr amli n gh a m whe n the co un cil was there ,
,

ha ve o ffered n o recompen se ; disco v er n ot this ,

b ut in m y reas on an d ( if ) m y lord ch a mber

1 Fo r th e co un ty o f N orfolk .

2 J o h n Mo wbr y a .
4 Elizabeth D uch ess o f Norfol k .

3 Jo h n de l a P ol e .
5 M ak e him a p resen t .
 P AST O N LE T T E RS . 71

1
l a in wo uld sen d my la dy a letter wi th s ome chamberl a in s m ’
en or your s go t o C a la i s or i f ,

privy token between th em a n d al s o to mo v e an

y be to get in L on don ; th at is a mewed
ha wk for sh e m
,
a y m ake
my L ord of Norfolk when he cometh to the , y ou spor t whe n y e
parlia men t certa i n ly C a i ster is y ours
,
. come i n to E n glan d a do zen years hen ce ; an d
If y e mi ss to be b urgess of M a ldon an d to c all upon y ou hourl y n ightly, da il y d in
m y lord C hamberla i n will, y e m ay be in
,

n er s upper, for thi s ha wk I pr a y n o more b ut

, ,

m y brother (E d m un d ) J P a m
, ,

an other pl a ce ; there be a do z en to wn s in
pyn g T h yrs ,
.
,

E n gl an d tha t choose n o b urgess which o ught ton J M y ryel W P itt, T P l att i n g J ude
to do it ye m
. . .
, , , ,

, a y be set in for on e of tho se t own s L ittle Ja ck M aster Boton er an d W Wood to

,
.

an d ( if) ye be frie n ded Als o in n o wise . boo t t o which per son s I pra y y ou to commen d
,

forget n ot in all h aste t o ge t s ome goodly ri n g me an d if all these li st (be d isp osed) to s pe ak
,

(a t the) price of 20s or s ome pretty flower of .

,
t o y ou of thi s m a tter when S ir George Bro w ne ,

th e same price an d n ot un der to give to Jan e

, ,
W Kn yv et, R Hy de or an y folk of worsh ip
. .
,

Rodon ; for sh e h ath been th e mo st special an d of my a c ua i n tan ce be i n yo ur compan y

q
so th a t the y m
,

l a bourer in y our m a tter an d h ath promised ,

a y help for th (for a l l is littl e ,

h er good will forth (in f uture) an d sh e doth en ough an d y e be n ot very well willin g) I shall
,

all with her mi stre ss A n d ( if ) m y lord so p ur v e y for them a n d ever ye come to Nor
C h a mberl a i n will he m
.
,

ay c a use my L ord of wich a n d the y with y ou, th at the y shall h ave

,

Norfolk t o come up soon er t o the pa rlia men t as d a i n ty vic tual s an d as gre a t ple n ty thereof
than he should do a n d then he m a
y a ppoi n t for 1 d a s the y sha ll h ave of the treas urer of
with hi mfor y ou ere th e far m2 corn be
.
,

C al a is for l 5d 5 an d y e pera dve n ture a pye of

VVy m on dh a m
.
,

ga thered I pro ffered b ut

. a n d if my to boot ; n ow thin k on me good
lord ch amberl a i n pro ffer my la d y the rema lor d for if I h av e n o t a n h awk I sha ll wa x
,

n en t I c an thi n k i t sh a ll be t aken ; m y l a dy fat for default of l a bour an d de a d for defa ul t ,

must h a v e s omewha t t o buy her a coverchi ef 3 of comp an y b y m y tro th No more b ut I

pr a y God sen d you all y our desires an d m
.
,

besides my lord . e ,

A supper th a t I p a id for where al l the ,

m y mewed goss h awk in h as te, or ra ther than
coun cil was at Framlin gha m 2s 3 d an d m y ,
. . fa il a s oar hawk there is a grocer dwelli n g
c osts a t Framlin gha m twice l y i n g there by righ t over a gai n st the Well with two B uckets ,
'

eigh t da y s with ,
for co sts of the a little from S a i n t H elen s , h a th ever h a wk s t o
c oun try a t Norwich dra we th about I sell .

trow more B y our L a d y if i t be less stan d

. Written a t Norwich the 2 l st d ay of S ep
t o y our ha rm s an d sic reman et 5 1 1 3 9 4 01
, . . . tem b er in the 1 2th yea r of E dward IV
,
.

I as k n o more good of y ou for all the ser J O HN PA ST O N .

vice tha t I shall do y ou while the world sta n d R a ther tha n fa il a ta rssel pro v ed w ill ,
eth , b ut a go ss h a wk,
4
if an y of my lord occ up y the tirn e till I c ome t o C a la i s .

N or wich ,

1 Willi a m L or d H asti n gs M on d y 2 1 st o f S eptemb er

a , ,

1 4 7 2 1 2 E IV
.

1 Co rn p a id in part o f ren t
'
. . .
.

3 A h ea d d ress or h a n dkerchi ef

mle
-
.
,

4 Fro m th e a n xi ety h ere e xpress e d for a n h awk go sh awk so call ed beca use i t is a fierce
o f th e
we m
, a ,

ay j udge o f th e atten ti on which wa s p ai d to t h e or thi rd l ess th a n th e fem a l e : i t a pp ears h ere th a t a .

diversion o f h a wki n g L ath am in h is b oo k o f

. ,
“
grosser ” or dea ler in foreign fruits & c so ld hawk s
, , .
,

Falcon ry says tha t a go sha wk is th e first an d m ost 5 T h e atten d an ce o n th e w a rs i n F ran ce an d i n; ,

, ,

esteem e d ki n d o f ha wk ; th a t a sore h awk is fro m o ur g arri s o n s th ere m ust h v e b een v ery exp en s ive
, a

th e fi rst ta ki n g o f h er fro m th e ei ry till sh e h ath by this acco un t o f th e di fferen ce in th e p rice o f pro

m ewe d h er feath ers T h e ta ssel or tiercel is th e
. , , visi on s a t Calais an d a t N orwich .
72 P AS T O N L E T T E R S .

LE T T E R CC CXXIV —(V vol v p . . . .

IS le tt er is from J P a ston to h is brother

[ H ’
T from he ar t ; by my tro th I die for de faul t of
l a bour ; a n d it m
.

S ir J oh n , a n d is l i t tle more th an a repetition a y be by a n y me an po ss ible

’
o f h is l a st t wo letters, compl a i n ts of S ir Ja mes for God s sake le t o n e be sen t me i n a ll h a st e '

Gl oys, the w an t o f mon e y , s ome leg al m a tters, for if it be n ot h a d by H allowm as the s e ason
a n d h is gre a t de sire for a h a wk O n thi s l a st sh al l p ass a n on memen t o m iei a n d in fa ith
t opic h e wri tes with an e a r nestn ess th a t m
.
,

a
y ye sh all n ot lose on it n or yet m u ch win on ,
”
w ell r a i s e a smile A s for a go sh awk or a .
, it b y God who preserve y o u
, ,
D ated Nor .

tercel I wee n ed to h ave h a d on e of y o urs in

, wich, S ept 29 1 47 2 ] .
,

k eepi n g ere thi s time b ut far from eye far , ,

L E T T E P C CC X XV (X L IX v ol 1 1 p . .
-
. . . .

T hi s l etter is giv en as con tai n i n g a sp ecim en o f th e free a n d e as y con v ersati on o f th e tim e an d sh o w s th e

v ery i n tim te ac quain tan ce th at s ubs iste d between S ir J P a ston a n d th e D uch ess o f Norfolk S ir Wi lli am
,

a . .

Bra n do n k n igh t was sta n dard bearer to th e E a rl o f Richm n d an d wa s sl i n in Bosworth Fi eld by

, ,
-
o , a

Rich a rd III He wa s fa th er to C h arl es Bran don D uk e o f S uffolk [ wh o m arri e d M ary s i ster o f Hen ry VIII
. , ,

a n d Do wa g er Q uee n o f Fra n ce T h e c o n v ersa ti on s ee m s to h a v e b ee n i n dee d v ery fre e a nd e asy o n th e ”

He see m s to h ve sp o k en o f h er as h e w uld o f a l m
.

p a rt o f S ir J oh n . a rse ; b ut i t a l s o seem s th at s uch o

l a n g uag e wa s n o t w ell rece ived H s con cl udin g sn eer at h is brother s p ass ion fo r th e h awk is well e xp ressed ]
. i
’
.

To J ohn P a st on , Es q , be this deliv er ed . .

V V
O R S HIP FUL an d
well belo v ed brother I -
, l a d y was worthy t o bear a l ord s son 3 for sh e ’

recommen d me t o y ou ; le ttin g y ou weet th a t co uld cheri sh it an d de a l w a rily with it .

I se n t y ou a letter a n d ri n g w ith a dia mon d In tr uth either the same or words m u ch ,

i n which le t ter ye might w ell con cei v e w h a t like I h a d to her which words I mean t as I
, ,

I wo uld ye sho uld do with the sa me ri n g , sa id ; they sa y too th a t I sa id sh e took her

w ith m an y other tidin gs an d thi n gs which I e ase Als o (tha t) I sho ul d h a ve sa id th a t

.

pra y ed you to h ave do n e for m e ; which le tter m y l a dy was of sta ture good a n d h a d sides ,

Boton er 1 h ad the be a ri n g of i t is so n ow lon g an d l arge so th a t I was in good hope sh e

,

t h a t I un dersta nd th a t he is either de a d or should be a r a fa ir child ; he w as n ot l a ced

el se h ard es c a ped whereo f I a mrigh t he a v y
,

n or br a ced in t o h is p a i n b ut th at sh e le ft
an d a mn ot certa i n whether the sa id letter
, ,

h im room to pl a y him in ; the y say th a t I

a n d ri n g c a m e to yo ur h an d s or n ot . sa id m y l a dy was l a rge a n d gre a t an d th a t it ,

I wo uld n ot th a t letter were see n with some sho uld h a ve room en o ugh ; a n d th us whether
3

fo l k s where fore I pr a y y ou ta ke good heed

,
m y l a dy mock me or they I wo t n ot ; I , ,

h ow th a t letter cometh to y o ur h an ds whole me an t well b y m y troth t o her a n d to th a t

or broken a n d in e speci al I pra y y ou get i t
,
sh e i s with as a n y he th a t oweth her be st will
,

i f ye h a v e it n o t . in E n gl an d ; if y e c an by a n y mean wee t
’
Al so I pra y y ou feel my L a d y of Nor folk s whether my l a d y ta ke it t o di sple as ure or n ot ,

dispo si tion to me w a rds an d whe ther sh e ,

or whether sh e thi n k I mocked her or if sh e ,

t ook a n y disple a sure a t my l an gua ge or wee t it b ut lewd n ess of mysel f I pra y y ou

mocked or di sdain ed m y words which I h a d sen d m e wor d for I wot n ot whether I m
, ,

ay
,

to her a t Y armo uth betwee n the pl a ce where ,

tr ust thi s La d y Bran don or n ot .

I first met with her a n d her lodgin g ; for my A s for t idi n gs n o w here be b ut few sa ve , ,

L a dy Bran don a n d S ir Willi a m a l so a sked th a t as I un dersta n d a mbassa dors of Britta n y

sh a ll come t o L on do n to morrow ; an d m
, ,

m e wh a t words I h a d h a d t o her at th a t ti me ; . en -

they said th a t m y l a d y sa id I ga v e her th t the L ord 4

Ri v ers a n d S cales sh all
h as til y come home an d m
a
s y a

thereof ” a n d th a t I sho uld h ave sa id tha t my

,
en Sa y th a t there
,

4 A n th on y Wo o dvi ll e E a rl Riv ers &c w en t t o

1 “ illium Boto n er oth erwi se Wor e ter
’ c s .
, ,
.

2 I p a id h er o ff or trea ted h er with un cere m on i o us en dea vo ur to o bta in po s essi on o f th e E arls o f s

P e mbro k e an d Richm o n d wh o w ere deta in ed as

,

l an g ua g e .
,

3
[ T h e wor ds o f th e o ri gi n a l i n b oth p a ssag es are p riso n ers by th e D uke o f Br itta n y .

so m ewh a t c o a rser ) .
74 P AST O N L E T T E R S .

sh e were at Norwich sh e migh t spe a k wi th t o my lord an d l a dy herea ft er, which by my

her, for th a t sh e is a wom an a n d o f worship troth I thi n k t o do ; n ever theless t o sa y t h a t
I will be his sworn m
.
,
In order further “ t o mo v e the d uche ss
h an , I was n ever yet lord s
’
e

m
,
sa y s,
“
where [wherea s] th a t here to fore I , sworn an ye t h a ve I do n e good service a n d
, ,
wo uld h a ve dep arted wi th a n h un dred m a rks n ot l eft an
'

y a t h is mo st n eed for fe a r ; b ut as ,

(661 1 3s 4d ) to ha ve ha d her good help an d

. . .
, God help me, I thi n k my l a d y sh all h a ve my
to be restored to my pl a ce, which n ot a o , s er v ice a bove an
y l a dy e arthly, which sh e
c e ted I t old my sa id l a d y th a t I fe a red my should well h a ve k n ow n h a d I bee n i n s uch
p ,

power sho uld n o t be here after t o give so large c ase as I h a d n ot been al wa ys the wors e wel
p l eas ure ; for a t th a t t ime I w a s in hope come for th at on e of my erran ds alway s was
‘

th a t t he Bi shop o f Wi n chester sho uld h a ve un der stood th a t i t wa s for C ai ster which w as

,
p a id i t, though i t h a d d ra wn an h un dred n ot a ccepta ble a n d I the wors e wel c ome
”

po un d y et forasmuch a s m en m H e a l so i n form s h is brother th a t “ I a mc on

, .

a y n ot l ure
n on e h a wks with empt y h a n d s I wo uld ye t cl uded w ith m y lord for y ou th at ye sh all be
n d h a ve three m
,
a gree t o gi v e my l a dy 201 for a horse a n d a a t C al a i s if ye li st
.
, a en in
”
sa ddle so th t I be re stored to m y pl a ce
,
a . w a ges un der y ou so th at S ir John b a d by
O n e other passa ge is rem ark a ble for the i n de t his t ime become a n i n fl uen ti al co urtier un der
pen den t an d somewh at chiv alro us spiri t shown the sub v er ter of h is former s overeign T his
H e t ell s h is brother “ ye m
.

in i t . a
y l a rgel y , letter is dated S un da y, Nov 22, 1 4 7 2 ] .

sa y on my beh a l f for suc h service a s I sho uld

L ET T E R vol v p . . .

[ T H I S le tter is
o n ly c urio us as con ta in i n g a
’
therein as ye will whether y e will I sen d her
,
further a ccoun t of J ohn P as ton s h a wk .
y o u a ga i n or c a st her i n t o T horp Wood a n d a
, ,

T ho ugh he wri t es t o h is bro ther S ir J oh n a bo ut tercel with her, for I wee t where on e is ; b ut
i t with some humour y et h is vehemen ce a bo ut n ow I d a re n o more
p ut you t o the co st of a
it an d a bo ut the other bird the pie or m
,

m
'

,
ag , h a wk b ut for God s sake an d there be an y ter ,

pie, a ppro a ches very n ear t o an ger H e begin s cel or good che a p gosh a wk th a t igh t be go tt en
Righ t worshipful S ir I recom th a t the be a rer hereo f m
.
,

h is let ter , a y h a ve her to bri n g

men d me t o y ou th a n ki n g y ou most heartily

,
me, a n d I en sure y ou by my t ro th, y e sh al l
of yo ur diligen ce a n d co st which ye h a d in
’
h a v e D oll y s a n d Brown s bo n d t o p ay y ou a t
’

gett in g o f the h awk which ye sen t me for , C an d lem as the price o f the h a wk Now an d .

well I wo t th a t your la bour an d tro uble in

,
ye h ave as m an y l a dies as ye were wo n t t o
th a t m a tt er was as m uch as tho ugh sh e h a d h a v e, I requ ire y ou for her sake th at ye be st
,

been the best of the world b ut so God help ,

love o f them all o n ce trouble y oursel f for m e
,
1 ”
me as fa r forth as the mo t c s un n i g
n estra g e rs in thi s m a tt er an d be out of my cl a mour
,
.

c an im a gi n e , sh e sh al l n ever serv e but to l a y H e the n pre sses him t o urge on h is b usi n ess
eggs for sh e is both a m uer de h a y e, an d al so
,
m a tters, t ells him of h a vi n g given a ri n g sen t

m
’

sh e h a th bee n so br u i sed with c a r n a ge of b y S ir Joh n t o on e of the D uche ss of N orfolk s

fowl th a t sh e is good as l am ei n bo th her legs ch amber women , who promised t o be ore
as a n y m an m
,
'

a y see a t eye ; wherefore a ll a t y o ur c omm an dmen t th an a t a n y k n igh t s

an d con
’
su ch folk as h a ve s een her a d v i s e me t o c ast i n E n gl an d , my lord s reserved
h er in t o some wood whereas I will h a v e her ,
el ude s with the follow in g c urio us po sts crip t

t o eyer [build or r a ther breed] bu t I will do “

I saw the pie, an d heard i t speak, an d by
God i t is n o t worth a crow ; i t is fa r worse
1
con ers
ere i n tro duces
fal S ha ksp
th an y e ween ed ; b y God it were sh ame to
[Estrag ers a re .
”
A en ti e A stri n ger as on e o f th e ch aracters i n All s
r
'
keep it in a c a ge D a ted Fra mlin gh am ,
.

T ue sd a y, Nov 24 , 1 47 2 ]
‘

W e] tha t en ds Well ) . .
 P A ST O N L E T T E R S . 75

LET TE R CCCXXIX —(VIII vol v . . . .

p .

O M Joh n P a st on t o S ir J P as t o n is ver y ha ve the sa cramen t i n her ch apel : I go t a

[
'

F R .

un importan t H e th an k s h is brother for a licen c e of him for a y ear a n d it is n igh worn

‘

ye m
.
,

h a t which he un dersta n ds is comi g a y g et it for the bi shop s li fe an y e

m
n
“
by o ut ,
will T h e rem a i n der of the le tter co n ta i n s
'

J oh n the Abbo t o f S t Ben n et s a n; an d

“

. .
,
he sa y s m y mother pra y s you t o get a n ew n o thi n g b ut a dvic e as to the furtherin g of

li c en c e of my L ord of Norwi c h th a t sh e m ay the suit for C a ister D at ed Nov . .

N U M BE R c c c xxx .
—(1 x vol v p . . . .

I pe tition from John P as ton the yo un ger an d profi ts in the n ame of y our sa id high n ess
[ s a

on beha l f o f h is brother S ir J oh n to th e D uke b y the spa ce of three ye ars a n d more, to th e

gre a t hurt of m
,

of Nor folk for the restor a tio n o f C a i ster at , y sa id brother an d me your

the reveren ce of God a n d b y wa y o f ch ar i ty sa id serva n t an d ora tor T hi s l a st p as .

a ltho u gh i t a ss er ts somewh a t ge n tl y th a t the sa ge fixe s the d a te a bo ut the en d of 1 4 7 2

,
’
D uke s serva n ts h a d ta ke n possess ion of the a s the D uke h a d h a d po ssessio n from S e
p
same wro n g fully, an d h a ve tak en the issue s tember,

R CCCXXXI —(L I vol 1 1 p 1 21

LE TT E . . . .

T h ese e xtracts ar e given fro m th e origi n a l letter chi efly to sh o w th e eas y a n d fa mili ar st yl e use d by S ir J oh u
P a sto n i n h i s h um oro us a ddre ss to h is broth er wh en telli n g him o f R a bek in s i n quir ies a fter him
’
.
,

mth
,

T 0 J ohn P a s ton , Es q , M rs Jll a rg a ret P a s ton , his be this letter delivered

'

. or to . o er
,
.

W E LL BELO V E D brother (Here f ollows a n a c me word t o Hoxon s in writin g wha t

S en d
’

co un t of let ters sen t to himf romCa la is— of

-
, ,

good the bishop did for me a t Fr a mli n gh a m

fa rmba rley in Flegg hun d red a n d of old stufl
,

a n d how m y lord my l a dy an d a ll the co urt

'

, , ,

a t N orwich &c ) ,
. are di spo sed t o me w a rd s .

A s for tidin gs here there be b ut few, sa v e I he a r als o say tha t m y l a d y an d yours,

n d
th at the D uke o f B urgun d y a m y l a d y his 1
D a me M arga ret Vere is de a d God ha v e her
2
,

wi fe fareth well ; I was with them on T h urs s o ul ! i f I were n ot s orry fo r her I trow y e

d ay l as t p ast a t Ghen t P eter M ett en ey h a v e been

N 0 more t o y ou at this time but Al m
. .

fa reth well an d M rs Gretki n both a n d .

,
ighty ,

R ab ekyn recommen d her t o yo u sh e h ath ,

God h a v e y ou in keepin g .

bee n very s ick b ut i t h ath don e her good

, , Written a t C al a i s the 3rd d ay of Febr ua r y , ,

m
for sh e is fa irer an d slen derer than sh e wa s ; in the 1 2th yea r o f the reig n of E dwa rd IV .

a n d sh e co uld m ake e n o cheer b ut alwa y J O H N P A S T O N , kn ig ht .

my sauce was H ow fareth M a ster J ohn

,
“
C al a i s ,

your brother wherewith I was wrath an d , Wedn esday 3 rd o f Febru ary , ,

sp a ke a je a lo us word or two, di sd a in i n g th a t
1 4 73 . 1 2 E IV
sh e sho uld c a re so m u ch for y o u whe n I was
. .

presen t .

2D aughter an d h eir o f S ir Willi a m S ta fford , and

1 Cha rl es th e Bo ld , an d M argaret si ster to E dw ard
,
wife to S ir Geor ge V e e ; th e ir son J ohn V ere r , , was
IV .
a fter w ard s Ear l o f O xford
76 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

R CCCXXXII —(X vol v p

L ET T E . . . . .

JO H N PA ST O N re quests his brother t o us e h is a ppoi n tm en t sa y s the H eydon s a re sus ,

i n flu e n ce to procure th e di sch arge o f h is ected a n d
“
if the y were the c a users it lieth
p ,
co usin J oh n Bl en n erh asset from the a ppoin t in m y cousi n Harsset s
men t of c ollector of th e task or subsi d y on power t o quy t [requite] th em H e th en j ust
[B ]
’ ’
len erha sset s
n
” “
, .

the groun d th a t h e h as n ot a foo t o f l an d me n tio n s the committal of a fortun e teller or -

withi n the shire T axe s an d ta x collect i n g

.
prophet t o Norwichj a il an d con cl udes thus
seem t o h a ve bee n a s irk s ome the n a s n ow N 0 more b ut I pra y God sen d you the H oly
Ghost a m
, ,
an d the collecti n g prob a bl y wa s n ot sweet en ed on gst yo u in the Pa rli a men t H o use ,
b y a sal a ry or a gen tl em a n wo uld n ot h a ve a n d r a ther the devil we sa than ye sho uld
gr an t an y m
,
y , ,
been a ppoin ted a ga i n st h is will H e wi she s . ore task s ”
T h e le tter is d a ted .

to k n ow , if po ssible wh o h a d c a used the

, Frida y, M arch 26,

R C CCXX X III —(L II vol 1 1 p

LE TT E . . . . .

b e b usi n ess referre d to in th e b egi n n i n g o f thi s l etter is n o t m en ti o n ed ; wh at i s s id o f Blen n rh a sset seem s

to h e m p un up on th e n a m e a s wr i tten Blu d e h a e set ; or perh a ps it m
a e
ea n t a s a
y o n ly refer to i ts bei n g
a s o un di n g n a m
, an r r
e [T h e b usin ess is cl early th e relea se o f Blen n erh asset fro m th e a pp o i n tm en t o f collector
.
.

W e thin k Fen n s e xpl a n ati o n o f starti ng th e b a re v ery un sa ti sfa ct ry as a lso o f bew are th a t 1 d p urse ;
’
”

b ut w e h a v e n o better to o fier ; un l ess th e l a tter m

o , .

y b e P ersey or P ercy wh o se n a m e h a s al re a dy occ urre d

'

a , .

T h e or igi n a l h as w a re th a t j d

To h is dea r a nd well belov ed brother, J ohn P

-
a s ton
,
Esq .

W ELL BE LO V E D bro ther I recomme n d me t o A s for

the world I wot n ot wh a t i t me an eth
men say here a s well a s H ogan 2 th a t w e sh all
-
,

y ou ; l etti n g yo u wee t th a t , at the re quest of , ,

M rs Ja n e Hassett
. Blen n erha sset] an d
y ou, h a v e a d o in h a ste ; I k n ow n o likelihood b ut ,

I h ave l ab o ured h ot the k n ights of th e shire th at such a r umo u r there is M en say the .

o f Nor folk an d t he kn ights of t he shire queen with the pri n ce sh all come out o f
of S u ffolk I un d ersta n d there h a d bee n Wale s an d keep thi s E aster with the kin g
ma de labour th at such a thi n g should have a t L eice ster ; an d s ome sa y n either of t he m
,

been as ye wro te t o me o f, but n ow it is sh a ll come there .

sa fe . I t em of beyon d the sea i t is sa id th a t th e

, ,

R alph Bl aun d erh a sset were a n ame t o st ar t

’
Fren ch kin g s ho st h a th killed the E arl of
a n h a re I w a rr an t t here s h all come n o such
,
Arm agn a c a n d all h is merry m en ; s ome sa
y
n ame in our book s n or i n our ho use ; it migh t un der a ppoi n tme n t, a n d s ome sa y they were
per c ase star t twen ty h are s a t on c e Beware be sieged a n d gott en b y pl a in a ssa ult
Farthermore m
. .

th a t pen n y pur se 1 I re a d there in the bill

. en say th a t the Fren ch ki n g
,

of Norfolk o f on e J oh n T en d all E squ ire b ut is with h is host upon the w a ter of S omme, a
s ixty mile s from C al a i s ; I le a ve the m
, ,

I suppo se it be n ot mea n t b y o ur T en d all ; where

a n d i f i t b e he sh all n ot re st there i f I m I fo un d them
I m
,
ay .

help i t . a de yo ur a n swer t o th e frien d s of M rs .

A s for t idi n gs the wor st th a t I h ea rd was, Jan e G od n oston a ccord in g t o your i n str uo
t ion s ; a s for me I a mn ot certa in whether I
,

th a t m y mother will n ot d o so m uch for me ,

a s sh e ut me in com for t o f sh all t o C al a i s to L eicester or come home

p .
, ,

O ther tidin gs I he a rd s a y for certa i n tha t

,
i n to Nor folk, but I sh a ll h astily s en d y ou
the La d y Fitzw al t er is dea d, a n d th a t M as ter word & c
Written the 2m
.
,

Fi tz w alter sh all h a ve 4 00 m arks ( 2661 1 33 d d a y o f April, t he 1 3 th o f

4 d ) a ye a r more th a n he h a d : I amn ot sorr y
. .

. E dwa rd IV .

therefore .
Frida y 2 n d o f April 1 4 7 3
, , .

13 E . IV .

I It seem s to m ean —Bewa re o f th at co veto us m 2 H o g an i s th e co nj urorlmen ti o n ed i n th e previ o us

o r o f th a t p oor m
an ,

a n which I kn o w n ot
, . l etter .
 P AST O N LE T T E R S . 77

L E rT E R
'
CCC X XXIV — (X I vol v p . . . . .

[ C O N T A IN S othin g of co n sequen ce S ir J h arshn e ss in e xtreme co n trast with the usual

h um
n

every m
. .

an
“
P as ton tell s h is brother th t a ilit y of childre n to their pa ren ts a t tha t
s ai th we sh all h a ve a d o ere M a y p ass : H og an period H e sa ys M y mother doth me
more h ar mth an [the] good I wee n ed sh e
.
,

the prophe t is in the T ower he would fa i n ,

spe a k with the ki n g b ut the ki n g sa ith he

, wo uld h a v e do n e fo r me P la y ters wrote to .

sh all n o t a v aun t (boa s t ) th a t ever he sp ak e me th a t sh e would h a ve l a id o ut for me 1 0 05 ,

”
with him T h is pro v e s th at the p ublic a n d received i t a g a i n in five yea rs o fl the
’
.

a ffa ir s were somewh a t tro ubled an d th a t , man or of S porle whereto I tr us ted ; if sh e ,

t um ul ts were fe ared tho ugh the y did n ot

,
h a d performed I h a d n ot b ee n i n n o jeop ard y
ta ke pl a ce T h e severe r ule of E dward IV
. . o f the m an or of S porle, n evertheless I sh a ll do

an d the k n own di ssen s io n s in the fa mil y g a ve wha t I can yet I pra y y o u c a ll upon her for
probable c ause for apprehen sio n T h e re the sa me reme m ber her o f tha t promis e ”
ma in d er of the letter is on h is priva te affa irs Also reme m ber her of m y fa ther s to m
.
, .

b at ’

Brom h ol msh e doth right n ought ; I a m

, ,

a n d he a ppe ars to be m uch disple a sed with , a fr a id

hi s mo ther beca use sh e wo uld n ot le n d him o f her th a t sh e sh a ll n ot do well
”
D a te d .

mon ey, a n d expresses himsel f in terms of L on don , M on da y, April 1 2 ,

LE T T ER CCC X XXV — ( LIII v ol ii p . . . . .

T h e firs t p art o f thi s curi o us l etter i n form s us o f the un settle d sta te o f th e n ati o n ; a nd tha t th e D uke o f C la
re n ce preten di n g on ly to be gettin g h is p a rty togeth er to O pp ose the D uke o f Glo uces ter wa s s upposed to
,
,
b e m ed t ti n g som e treas on a g ai n st th e sta te T hese roya l brothers h a d bee n fo r so me time a t varia n ce a n d
i a .

m ost p roba bly th ei r di sp utes were h eighten ed a t this time by th e la te ma rr age o f the l tter wi th A n n e th e
, i a
,

wido w o f P rin ce E dwa rd Hen ry VI s so n da ugh ter an d co he ir o f t h e E a r l o f Wa wick a n d s ister to th e

, .
’
, r ,
,

D uch ess of Clarence whose p ossessi o n s th e D uk e was un willi n g to divide with h er sis ter n o w h is brother s
,
,
’

wite’

To John P a ston Esq , a t N orwich be this d elivered

,
.
, .

W O R S H I P F U L a n d well— beloved brother I S un da y or M o n d a y or n igh by for I c am e

,
,
comme n d me to y ou ; lettin g y ou wee t th a t n o t a ccompan ied to do a n y service here ;
the world seemeth queas y ( un settled ) here ; where fore it were better for me to be o ut of
for the most part th a t be a b ou t the ki n g h a v e s ight

( Heref ollow som e m

.

sen t hither for their h a r n e ss a n d it ( is ) sa id

y tra n sa ction s rela
t ive to a Doct or P h en ha mh is m
, on e
for cert a i n th a t the D uke of Cl are n ce m ake th other a n d
y , ,
him big in tha t he can , showi n g as he wo uld o thers
) .

b u t (on ly ) de a l with the D uke o f Gloucester ; Item S pri n g th a t wa ited on m y fa ther

whe n he was in Ga ol H o us e who mm y fa ther
, ,
but th e kin g in ten d eth i n e schewi n g al l i n
,
,
con ven ien ce, t o be as big as the y bo th an d
“

a t h is d y i n g be set be uea th ed
( ) 4 0s h e c ry eth
to be a stitii er a tween them ; an d some m
,
q .

en ever on me for it a n d in wa y o f alms a n d , ,

thi n k th a t un d er this there sho uld be s ome he wo uld be e as ed t ho ugh it were b ut xxs
or xs where fore he h a th writte n to m
.

other thin g in te n ded an d some tre aso n c on

,
y
.
,
S pired so wh a t sh a ll fa ll c an I n ot sa y mother an d m ust h a ve a n a n swer a ga i n ; I
wo uld th at m y mother sen d h ima s tho ugh
.
,
Item, i t is sa id tha t y esterd a y two passa gers
(p a ssag e boa ts) of D over were taken ; I fea r s h e le n d h ims ome wh a t
,

an d he wil l be ,
t h at it Jud d y h ad n o hast y p assa ge so th a t
’

pleas ed a n d (or ) else he can sa y as shrewdl y

as a n y m
, ,
i f he p assed n ot on S un da y or M on da y t ha t an in E n gl a nd
, .

he is ta ken an d s ome ge ar of mi n e tha t I

,

wo uld n ot for 201 .

1 J o h n P aston
E sq was impri so n ed by E dwa r d .

I hope an d purp ose t o go to C ala i s w ard on

,

I V n 1 4 66 . .
78 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

I t em, the kin g h ath se n t for his gre at se al ; a n d the mon ey of M as t er John
l
( 3 1 6s. .

s ome say we sh a ll h a ve a n ew ch an cellor b ut , S m y the wo uld m a ke me whole & c .

, ,
s ome thi n k th a t the k in g doth as he did a t Written on S t L eon ard s d ay in the 1 3 th .
,
the la st fields, he will h ave the se al with him ye a r of the reign of E dwa rd IV
Item sen d me m
, .

b ut t hi s d a y D oc t or M orto n M aster of the y ve stme n t a c c ordin g t o

the le tt er I sen t y ou by S y mon d Da min al l
, , ,
Roll s} ride th t o the ki n g an d be areth the ,
'

s e as e
(sea ls ) wi th him . h ast e .

I t em , I h a d n ever more n eed of m on ey JO HN PA S T O N kn ig ht ,

.

th an n ow, where fore Fastol f s five m a rk s T hur d y 1 5 th o fAp r il

'
s a , ,

1 47 3 . 13 E . IV

C C C X XXVI —
L ET rE R
'
(LIV vol ii p . . . . .

T he hi st ori c fac t s m e nt i on ed in thi s l etter con tradi ct {th e d ate s o f th e m a s g iven by o ur hi stor ian s , an d pl ace
i n th e v e a r 1 4 7 3 th o se which th e y h a v e given as h a pp en i n g i n th e y ea r p rece di n g .

T o J ohn P a s ton
,
E s q , i n N or
.
folk ,

W O R S H IP FUL an d righ t h e artily beloved '

-
I t em there be in L o n don m an y flyi n g ta les
, ,

brother I recomme n d me un to you ; letti n g sa y i n g th a t there sho uld be a work an d ye t

,

y o u wee t tha t on We d n esd a y l as t p ast I they w ot n ot how .

wro t e y ou a letter, whereo f J oh n C arb al d e I tem my L ord Ch amberl a in 5 s en deth n ow

h ad the bea ri n g p rom itt in g (p r om
,

ising ) me a t thi s time t o C al a i s the y oun g L or d Z ouc h s

'

an d S ir T hom as Hun gerford s d a ugh ter an d

’
t h at y e shoul d h a v e it a t Norwich thi s d ay, or
els e to morrow in the m or n in g ; wherein I
-
heir,7 an d s ome say the y o un g L a dy H arri n g
pr a y y ou t o take a l abour a ccordin g a ft er the ton the se be three gre a t j ewels ; C al a is i s a
ten ure of the same an d that I m merry t own , they sh all dwell there I wot n ot
.
,

a y h a ve an
,

an s wer a t L on do n to Ho xon , i f an y me ss e n ger Wh yl gh e (how long )

c ome a s e en I m No more, but I h ave been an d amtro ubled
.

’
a y do for y ou .
,

A s for t idi n gs there w as a t r uce t aken a t

,
with mi n e over l arge an d co urt eo us de alin g
B r ussel s abou t the 26th d ay of M arch l ast wi th my serv an ts, an d n ow with their un :
ki n d n ess Pl a tti n g your m
.

p as t bet ween the D uke of B urgun dy an d the an , wo uld thi s d a

y ,

Fren ch kin g s amb assa dors an d M r Wil li a m

’
bid me farewell to to morrow a t D over, n ot
withstan di n g T hryston y o ur o ther m
-

, .
,

a t C l y fl for t he ki n g here ; which i s a pe a c e is

'

an , ,

d
by l an d an d w a t er till the fir st y o April
a f 3 from me, a n d J oh n M yryel, an d W Woode .

n ow n ex t comi n g be t ween Fr an ce an d E n g which promi sed y ou an d Daub en ey, God

l an d an d a l so the duke s l an d God hold it
,
’
h a ve h is s oul a t C a i st er th a t if ye wo uld
, ,

for e v er a n d (if) gr a ce be ! ta ke him i n to be a ga in w i th me th a t then he

I tem, t h e E arl of O x ford“ was on S at urd a y wo uld n ever go from me ; an d thereupon I
a t D ieppe a n d is p urpo sed i n t o S cotl an d with
,
h a ve kept h imt his three ye ars t o pl a y S a i n t
a t welve ship s ; I m i st rust th at work .

3 From 2 6th o f M a rch 1 4 7 3 to 1 s t of Ap ril 1 4 74 , , , .

4
O ur hi s tori a n s a s sert th a t th e E a rl o f O xford was
1 Rob ert S tilli n gt on Bi sh o p o f B ath an d W ells
, , tak en i n S t M ich ael s M oun t i n C orn w all i n 1 4 7 2
.
’
,
'

was th e th en chan cellor

,

an d th en ce co n v eye d to th e cas tl e o f H a mm es n ea r
2 Dr Morto n was a m
.

. a n o f gre a t l e a rn in g an d C a l a i s wh ere h e wa s imp ri son ed d uri n g twelv e

,
s tri ct l oy alt y : h e was e l ecte d Bi sh o p o f E ly i n ye ars ; this could n ot be a s h e wa s n ow a t D i epp e ,

1 4 7 8 ; a n d in th e sa m e ye a r app o in te d L or d Ch a u co n certin g a n e xp editi on i n to Scotla n d

cello r ; —i n 1 4 8 4 h e was ad v an ce d to t h e a rch i ep is
.

5 W illi a m L or d H as ti n g s
.

cop a l see o f C an terbury an d die d i n 1 5 0 0 [ Mor
ton s strict l oya lty is m ore th a n do ubtful He h ad
' ”
, . 6 J ohn L ord Z o uch o f Harri n w orth
g ; h e was at
.
tai n ted i n th e fi rst yea r o f Hen ry VI I .

b een a L an ca stri a n h e was n ow a Yorki st ; b e c on

,
7 M ary da ugh ter an d h e ir o f S i r T h om as Hun
,
s pi re d a g a i n st Ri ch ar d III i n fa v o ur o f He n ry VII
gerlo rd ; sh e afterw ards m arri e d E dwa rd son a n d
‘
. .
, ,

for which h e wa s d e pr iv e d o f h i s bi sh o p ri c a n d was , h e ir to Wil li a m L ord H asti n g s wh o i n h er righ t b e ,

o n ly restore d on th e a ccessi on o f Hen ry to wh o m , ca m e L or d H un gerford b er un cl e s attain der bei n g ,
’

h e beca m e chi ef a dvi ser an d con fid an t ] .

rev erse d .
 P AS T O N LE T T E R S

George an d Robi n H ood an d the sheri ff o f

, ,
an d be comi n g home ; th e highw a y full m y ,
Nottin gha m 1 an d n ow when I would h ave
, c arri a ge was behi n d me two ho ur s lon ger th an
g o od horse he is gon e i n t o Bern ysd ale, an d I
, I looked after b ut I wis I wen d th at I might ,

witho ut a keeper . h a ve e a ten m y pa rt on Good Frid a y a ll m y ,

Writt e n a t C an terb ury t o C al a i s w ard on , g arees (fin ery) a n d pride h a d been gon e, b ut
T ue sd a y a n d ( if ) h ap be up on Good Frid a y
, , all was safe
3
.

th e l 6th d a y of April, in the 1 3 th yea r o f I pra y you if W M yl sen t go from you th a t .

E dward IV 2 Yo ur l e might come t o me to C ala i s, I will h a ve

m
.

J O HN P a sron , kn ig ht . fi1 .

Item th e mo st
,
pa rt o f the s oldiers th a t C an terbury Goo d Friday , , l 6 th of April ,
we n t over with S ir Robert Green h a v e le a v e , 1 47 3 . 1 3 E . IV .

R CC CX XX VII —( LV v ol 1 1 p
L E T T E . . . . .

T hi s l et ter sh o w s us th e un settl ed sta te o f th e n ati o n an d th e a ppreh en s i o n s o f th e ki n g co ncern i n g th e co mi n g

o f th e E a rl o f O xford
—Th e m a n s con fessi o n seem s to b e foun ded on good a uthori ty as the ea rl arrive d in
’
,

E n glan d soon after .

T o J ohn P a ston , E s q , in N orwich . .

R I GHT worshipful bro ther I recommen d m e I tem t h a t the same m an sho uld a cc use an
to y ou & c ( T hen f ollow som
, ,

. e orders c on cern h un dred gen tlemen in Norfolk an d S uffolk

,

ing serv a n ts d ebts, securi ties &c )

, ,
. th a t h a ve a greed to a ssi st the sa id ea rl a t h is
4
A s for tidin gs the E arl o Wil tshire an d
f , comi n g thither, which a s it is sa id sho uld be , ,
the L ord S ud le y 5 be d ea d a n d it wa s sa id , , w ithi n eight d a y s after S t D un st an ,7 i f w i n d .

tha t S ir W S tan ley was de ad , b ut n o w it is

. an d we a ther serve him ; fl y i n g t al e s .

sa id n ay & c , . N 0 more a t thi s time b ut God h a ve y ou i n ,

'

Item a s for y our goi n g t o S a i n t Jame s s I

, , keepin g Written a t L on don on S t Dun
. .

believe 6 it b ut a t wee n two & c s ta n s d a y the 1 8 th d ay o f M a

y, i n the 1 3 th
’

I h eard say th a t a m
.
, ,

an was thi s d ay ex ye a r o f E dw ard IV

am
.

in ed a n d he co n fe ssed th a t he kn e w gre a t
, J O HN PA S T O N , kn ig ht .

t re asure wa s s e n t to the E arl of O x ford ,

L on d on ,

S t Dun s tan s d ay ,
’

whereo f a 1 0001 sho uld be con ve y ed b y a .

T u s d ay 1 sth o f Ma y , 1 4 7 3
e
.

mon k of We stmin ster, an d some sa y by a , .

1 3 E IV . .

mon k of Ch ar terho use .

E dw rd th e
a IVth s n an th e 4 th o fM rch
’
a reig b eg .

T h e l 6th o f A pril 1 4 7 3 , was th ere ore

f th
th e 1 3 , of

Mean in g I presum e ei th er th a t h e h ad ki n dly E dw d IV

ar , an d c q e tly h e b g
o n se u n reig
e an h i s

k ept h imwh en h e did n ot wa n t h im; an d n o w th at

1 ,
. n on
,
the 4 th o f M rch
a , 1 4 60 N B d te the
The a of n ew

h e did w an t him th a t h e h ad l eft h im or th at h e h ad

-
. . .

e r c mm e ced th e
y a o n on 25 th o f M rch
a .

kept him to b e an actor i n such in terl ud es [T h ere .

e e thi l tter p rt
3 T h e s n s of s a a cl r p erh p
i s n o t ea a s

a pp e ars to us to be n o di fficul ty i n th e m e an in g On . h e m e t to
an sa y th h e
at wa s s o sure th t a fi ery
h is n

was l o st th at h e migh t h a v e v en ture d to pro mis e t o

h i s p romi se n ev er to g o fro m m e h e s ays h e
”
,
,

ea t h i s p art o f i t o n G oo d Fr id a y wi th out bre a ki n g

h a d k ep t W W o o de th ere three years to play S t
.
.

Georg e & c i e m erely empl oyed him in am usem en ts

.
, . . ,
h is fa st .

4 J oh n S ta ffo r d was cre a te d E arl o f Wil tshi re i n

,

a n d n o w wh en h e w a n ted goo d h or s em en h e h a d l e ft ,

him l.
1 47 0 He was broth er to Hen ry D uke o f B uck
.

2 I h is is th e fi rst l etter s o fully d ate d by which

’
, in h a m
r
.

th e e xa ct tim e o f K in g E dw ar d s reign ca n b e p recisely

’
B utl er L or d S udley .

6 T h i s s eem s to s i n i fy I d o n t beli ev ei t
a scertai n e d By th e tables to fin d E a ster i t a pp ears g
, , o .
.

7 In th e n e x t l et t er h e i s said to h av el a n d ed i n
th at in 1 4 7 3 th e p rim e bein g 1 1 a n d th e D omi n ica l
, ,

l etter C E aster S un day wa s on t h e 1 sth o f A pril

,
. E sse x on th e 28 th o f Ma v.
80 P A ST O N LE T T E R S .

LE rT ER
'
c c c xxxv m—( . Lv 1 . vol ii p
. . .

T h e fo rm er p art of thi s l etter i s o f littl e con sequen ce e xcep t to sh o w us th e atten dan ts n ecessa ry fo r a p erso n
,

o f S ir J oh n P a s to n s r an k the latter hin ts to us th e un settle d sta te o f th e go vern men t ; a n d th a t th e k in g

’

an d th e D uk e o f Cla re n ce w ere n o t on a mica bl e term s .

T o J ohn P a ston , E sq be this delivered . .

R I G H T wor shipful brother, I recommen d me I hoped to h a ve been very merry a t C al a is

to y ou ; lettin g y ou weet th a t this d a y I was this Whitsun tide an d a mwell a pparelled an d ,

in very purpose t o C a la i s w ard all re a d y t o a ppoi n ted sa ve th a t the se folk s fa il me so a n d

,

h a ve gon e t o the b a rge ; sa ve I ta rried for a I h a ve m a tter there to m ak e of righ t ex c el

yo un g m an th a t I tho u ght to h a ve h a d with me len t S ome m
. an wo uld h a v e h as ted him to

thither on e that was with Row s which is in the C al a is, tho ugh he h a d h a d n o better err an d,
a n d s ome m
,

c o u n try ; an d bec a us e I co uld n ot ge t him , en thi n k i t wi sdom an d profit t o

a n d th a t I h a ve n o more here w ith me b t be there n ow well out of the wa y

u

P am n g E dw a rd, an d J a ck there fore P am

.

py , ,
Item a s for the bishop3 an d I we be n e arer
, ,

n remembered me th a t a t C al a i s he told t o a poi n t th an we were, so th a t m y p a rt is

py g
.

m e th a t he purpo sed t o be wi th the D uchess n o w all the l an ds i n Flegg wholly, th e '

o f Nor folk my l a dy a n d yo ur s ; an d E dw ar d
,
m an or o f Heyl esd on T ol th orpe an d t en emen ts , ,

i s s ick an d seemet h n ot a bidi n g he would see in Norwich an d E arlh a m except F a irchild s ;

‘

wh a t sh all fall of this world an d so I amas he b ut fa rewell D r ay ton , the devi l do i t them
, ,

th a t sa ith ; “ c ome hither J oh n my m o them ood

,

,
an
, (d g of it) .

a n d a s h a p was ye sterd a y J ud d y wen t a fore to I tem l a rge a n d fa ir comm un ic a t ion h ath

C al a is w a rd where fore I a mn ow ill p ur
,

been be tween S ir John F a gge a n d Rich ard

m
,

v eyed ; which for a u gh t th a t I kn ow ye t is like Ha wte for their sister a n d me be fore D octor
W yn tbom
,

t o keep me here thi W hi ts un t id e

l
where fore if e a n d el s ewhere so t h a t I a in
n ow an y likely m
s , ,

e k en , an d fa ir co n ditio n ed better hope th an I was by S t La wre n c e4 th at

y , .

a n d good a rchers sen d them to me tho ugh it

,
I shall h a v e a deliveran ce .

be four an d I will h a v e them a n d the y shall

, ,
I tem as for tidi n gs here I trow ye h a v e
, ,

h a ve four m ark s (21 1 3s . by the ye a r

. he a rd y o ur part how th a t the E a rl of O x ford
,
’
a n d my li v er y l an ded by S t O syth s in E ssex the 28 th d a y
He m
.
.
,

ay come t o me hi ther t o th e Go a t, or of M a y sa v e he ta rried n ot lo n g ; for i f h e

,
” 5
yet (else) to C al a i s with a rial if he be wi se , , h a d the E arl o E ssex rode t o him w a rd s an d
f ,

which i f n eed be I wo uld tha t B a rker took the L ords D e n ha m a n d D ura s ( Ga llia rd de
a ve him to c ome up with i f it be s uch on e Dure fort ) a n d other more which by likeli
'

(g ) , , ,

as ye tr ust . hood sho ul d h a ve distressed him ; b ut yet h is

I t em I suppo se both F y tt e a n d Ko th y e
,
comi n g sa ved H ogan h is he a d an d h is pro ,

P la ttyn g sh all go from m e in h a ste : I will p h ecy is the more belie v ed ; for he sa id tha t
n ever cheris h k n a ve s so as I h a ve do n e for this tro uble sho uld begin in Ma y an d that ,

their sake s the k in g should n orthw ards an d tha t the S c ots

Item I pr a y y ou sen d me a n ew vestm
. ,

e n t of sho uld m a ke u s work an d him b a ttle

M en look a fter they wo t n ot wh a t b ut m

.
,

whi te d amas k for a de a con wh ich i s a mon gst en

b uy h a r n e ss fas t ; the ki n g s men i a l m

, ,
’
mi n e other ge ar a t Norwich for he sh all en a n d

thereto as y e wot o f ; I will m ake a n a rm

, ,

in g the D uke o f Clar en ce s, are m an y in t hi s town ‘

do uble t of it tho ugh I sho uld a n other

,
the L ord R i v ers6 c a me to d ay, m en sa y to

time give a lon g gow n of vel v et for a n other pur v e y i n like wise .

v estme n t ; a n d se n d it in all h aste t o Hoxon

t o se n d me . 3 J am es Gold well Bi sh op o f N orwich 1 4 7 2
, , .

4 l oth o f A ug ust .

5 He n ry Bo u ch ier E arl o f E ssex l ord t easurer

r r .
, ,

6 A n th o n y Wid ev ille E a rl Rivers b eh ead ed a t

1 Wh itsun day 6th o f Jun e 1 4 7 3
, ,
. , ,

2 A ri a l a g o ld coi n o f 1 05 v al ue . . P on tefract 1 4 8 3 ,
.
82 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

a till a t her ga te, a n d spoken with me ,

h i d en s m a rke t da y from S t O mer s t o C al a i s, an d
, .
'

so God help me sh e h a d h a d thi s sa me box ) he brin geth da ggers a n d fe tcheth a l so, he

(
may h ave i t with him an d brin g i t a ga i n the
,

th a t I sen d n o w where ye wo t o f, which y e ,

sh all see wo rn hereafter ; i t i s a pret ty ribbo n n ex t m a rke t d ay for 1 2d or 1 6d a t the mo s t ; . .

,
with pretty a gl ets l an d goo dl y . an d
(or) el se le t i t be well oiled an d kept t ill
M ake y ou n ot wi se t o Jud d y, n ei ther n o t I come
n ote t ha t ye wo uld wee t an ythi n g for I m
.

[ ] ay N 0 more Wri tt en at L on don the 5 th d a y

say to y ou a t h i s co m
.
,

in g over he bro u gh t of July, in t he 1 3 th ye ar o f E d ward IV .

goo d ly gear re as o n abl y .

JO H N PA ST O N , kn ight .

Item as for my bill 2 t h at is gil t I wo uld

L o n don
, ,

i t were ta ken heed t o ; there is on e in the Mon day 5 th of July

,
,

,
town tha t can gl a z e ( p olish) w ell e n ough as 1 4 73 . 1 3 E IV .

I he a rd sa y al so there is on e cometh every

C C CX L — (L VIII Vol 1 1 p
IE T T
. ER . . . . .

T h is an d th e L etter cccxciv are p erh ap s th e on ly l etters e xta n t o f th is n o bl e m a n wh o th o ugh h e dislik e d

'

.
, .

K in g Edwa r d s Q ueen w a s a tr ue a n d l oyal s ubj ect to th e kin g ; an d con tin ue d fa ithful to h is yo un g

’

P ri n ce E dw ard V for which h e l o st h i s h e ad i n 1 4 8 3 If w e m

,

.
,
a y j udg e fro m h is e xpress i on s in th es e l etters
.
,

h e wa s a p olite gen tle m an a n d a ki n d m as ter His re m emb eri n g h is fello w s th e soldi ers i n a n a ge
. , ,

wh en h is n obl e r an k pla ce d him s o high a bo v e th e pl eb ei ans cha racteri se s him a s a co mm an der a tten tiv e ,

to th e con cern s o f th o se un der him

To m
.

y gri ht hea r til

y beloved
f rien d s a n d ellows S ir John o
f -

f M id d leton a n d S ir J ohn P a st on ,
, ,

A F T E R he ar ty recommen da t ion I th an k y ou ,
fellow s the soldiers, an d all other such as (to)
o f the good a t ten d a n ce th a t ye ga ve un t o the y ou sh all seem good A n d our L ord s e n d .

kin g s co un sel a t C al a is ; an d the good an d

'

y ou yo u r desire s Wri tten at No tt in gh a m,

.

e ffec tual devoir s tha t ye p ut y ou i n to as sist the l 6 th d a y o f S eptember

my deputy S ir John S cot in all such thin gs
. .

,
S ir J ohn P as ton 5 I pra y y ou t o give cre
a s might co n cern the safeg ua rd o f my ch arge den ce t o such thi n gs as my deput y sh a ll show
there L e tt i n g y ou weet th a t if there be you from m e , an d con form y ou t o the same
a n ythi n g th a t I can a n d m
. .

y do for y ou, I
sh a ll with righ t good will per form i t t o m
a
Your fello w, H A S T IN G S .

y
power A n d I pra y yo u t o recommen d me
.

to my L a d y H ow a rd 3 m y L a d y Bourg ch ier 4 , ,

an d a ll ot h er l a die s a n d ge n tlewomen of t he

sa id t ow n A n d in likewi s e to th e m a yor
.
,

lieu ten an t an d fellowship o f the sta ple ; my

,

1 P en den t orn a m e t fm et l
n s o a , lik e tags or p oi n ts ,

2A w arlik e i n s r n o n ce t um e t f offe .

3 M ar garet wi fe of S ir J oh n Ho w r d L ord a ,
,

Ho w ard an d a fterwards D uk e o f N orfolk S h e was

,
.

d a ugh ter o f S ir J oh n Ch edworth k n igh t a n d di e d , ,

in 1 4 9 0 5 H V I I , . .
5 l ast p aragraph is written by L ord Hastin gs
T hi s
4 L ady Bo urch ier was p rob abl y th e wife o f a son himsel f,
th e f rm er p art to th e xvj d ay of S ep
o

o f S i r J oh n Bo urch ier L or d Ber n ers , . tember by h is secreta ry

,
”
.
 P A S T O N LE T T E R S .
83

CC CX L I —(X II v ol v p
'

LE T r E R
'
. . ., . .

IS le tter from S ir J oh n P as to n to h is t of letti n g to fa rm , m

[ T H ,
wri ten a y b e h ad
, ,
i t
brother J oh n to uches on m a n y c urious sh all I hope n o t n eed to s ell or fell m uc h ;
,

m a tters illustr a t ive of the period H e com b ut I remi t th a t ge ar to y our dis cretion : b ut
.

men ees b y a ckn owledgin g th e receip t of a if ye ha v e s uch com fort I pra y y ou sen d me
le tter from him of the 6th o f O c tober, lettin g word I m “
a y sa y t o y o u J oh n O sbern
.

me weet of the deceas e of S ir Ja mes fl a tt ered me for he wo uld h a v e borrowed ,

a n d th a t my mother i s in p urpo se t o be a t mon ey of me Item in ret a ili n g of wood

Norwich an d I a mrigh t gl a d th a t sh e will there it were ha rd t o tr us t h im
.
,

; he is n eedy
-

.
,

n ow do s omewh a t b y y o ur a dvice where fore, If Cocket or whosoever h a d th a t m a n or t o

, ,

bew are from hen ce forth th a t n o such fellow farm for seve n y e ar , a n d p a id there for b ut six
”
creep in be twee n her an d y ou H e goes on s core po un d s he sho uld to le t it a g a i n win
.
, , , ,

y e sen d me word a l so tha t sh e in n o w ise which be m uch ; wherefore if i t migh t , .

will pur v ey the 1 00 1 for the redeemi n g of be i t were more re a son a ble s ix score an d
.
,

S porle ; let i t go : as t o uchi n g tha t m a t ter seven po un d s were received a n d y e t is ther e

, ,

J ohn O sb ern told me t h a t he comm un ed with lost or else if ye take le ss mon ey an d , .

y ou at S porle o f th at m a tt er ; further he fewer ye ars so it be a fter the ra te so th a t

m
, , ,
”
devi ed tha t Cocket or such n other
s a ,
an there be p a id l OOl a t the
,
le as t s e n d word .
, .

sho ul d t o ha ve i t the better che a p l ay o ut T his is c urio us a s showi n g the n a t ure of

“

, , ,

th e v al ue o f six ye ar for t o h a v e i t se v en y e a r, letti n g farm s an d al so wo ul d go t o show a ,

whereto I wo uld a gree ; an d for God s sa ke, m u ch lower ra t e of i n tere st th an wa s gen erall y
’

i f tha t m ay be bro ught a bo ut le t it be do n e i n use a t th at t ime, for 3 61 as the i n tere st of

"

.
,

a s ye wot o f i t is le t for 221 a y e a r ye t the

_
,
1 201 for se v e n ye a r s is b ut sm all cons ider in g
.
,
.
,
'

fa rmer gr an t b ut 2 l l ; b ut to Cocke t it woul d

. the ri sk o f the ten an t s ren t & c & c T h e ,
. .

be worth 25 L y ea an d be tt er ; n everthele ss myst erious a ffa ir with M rs A nn Ha wte i s

.
, ,
. :

if Cocke t will deli v er six score poun ds I a ga i n a ll uded to I h a ve a n swer a ga in

,

wo uld he h ad i t for seven y e ars with this from Rome th at there is th e well o f gra ce an d
th a t my mother h e a greeable to the sa me, sa lve sufii cien t for such a s ore an d th a t I m
, , , .

ay ,

bec ause of the in terest that sh e b ath for my be di spen sed with : n evertheless my proc t or
brother Willi am which sh all n ot be of a ge there as keth a tho usan d duc a ts as he d eem
,

, eth
this seven y ea r ; n evertheless as ye kn ow m y b ut he a dds an other Rome ru n n er here

o l d i n t en t I p urpo se to p urvey for himi n

-

, ,

,
has t old him he me a n s b u t a hun dred d uc a ts ,

an o ther pl a c e bett er th an there ; o f which or t wo h un dred a t the mo st T h e rest of the .

gr a n t o f my mother I pr a y you be my le tt er con ta i n s un importa n t direc tion s a s to

solici tor in which , an i t be bro ugh t a bo ut
,
h is clothe s an d other m a tter s except t h a t he
, ,

S porle sha ll be in as good case a s ever it w as sa y s as for o ther tidi n gs I t rust to God th a t
“
.
,

J ohn O sb ern w il led me to m ake y ou a suf the two D ukes of Claren ce a n d Glo ucester
ficien t w arran t t o sell an d fell wood a t S porle, sh a l l be set a t on e by the a w a rd of the ki n g
m .

whi ch I remember y e h a v e in as a mple form D a ted L o n don , M on day, Nov 22,

as m
.

ay be ; n everthele ss, if thi s me an a bove

CC CX L II — (XIII vol v p
L E T rE R
'
. . . . .

T S le tt er c on ta ins chiefly i n str u c t ion s fr om a te of the letter is fixed (L on don T hur sd a

[ H I d y , ,

S ir J oh n P as ton to h is brother J oh n a n d h is Nov 25, 1 4 7 3) b y i ts re feren ce t o the E a rl o f

.

mother as to empowerin g him S ir J ohn to O x ford bei n g b e sieged in S t M ichael s

'

. :
, , ,

His fa ther M oun t in Corn w all whi ch ha ppen ed i n 1 47 3 ,

’
a dmi n i ster to h is fa ther s w ill

where he wa s c aptured, a n d afterw ard s i m

.
,

died i n 1 466, a n d it a ppears a lon g time t o

el a pse wi tho ut this h avin g bee n don e, b ut the prison ed for sever a l ye ars in the c a stle of
G 2
 S4 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

H a mme s n ea r C al a i s from when ce he e sca ped

, ,
keeper of m in e lie there, I will p a y for h is
a n d a ccomp an ied H en r y VII i n h is su ccessful . bo ar d a l so as well as for the priests Item
,
.
,

a ttempt on E n gl a n d d y i n g in 1 5 1 2 ; a n d t o i f m y mother sho uld h a ve a n ew prie st 1 thin k

h is a n ticip a ted imm
, ,

edia t e po ss ess ion of C a i s th a t m y brother S ir J Goos were a mee tl y

man to be there ; he would also do as y e
.

t er . W ith re fere n ce t o this pl a ce he sa y s,

“
sen d m e w ord if I h a ve C a i ster a g a i n , wo uld h a v e him T hi s i s ver y c un n i n g
.

whether sh e ( h is mother) will dwell there or a d v ice for h is own good an d the a dv an ta ge s ,

n ot an d I will fin d her a pries t t ow ards a t

,
he o ffers to h is mo th er o f the dove house an d -

m y ch a rge a n d gi v e h er the do v e hous e a nd

,
-
other commodi ties m ust h a ve been the n
other commodities there ; a n d if an y horse tho ught very seduc t ive ] .

R C C C X L III —( LIX — (vol 1 1 p

LE T T E . . . . .

[ In t he p revi ous l ett r w e h a v e a n otice o f Joh n de V ere E a rl o f O x ford wh o i s h ere a ga i n p a rtic u

la rly m en ti on ed W e m
e , ,

ay a d d h o w e ver th t as i t i s h ere sa id a l l h is esta tes w ere con fisca te d b ut were

.
, , a , , ,
res tore d soon a fter th e a ccess io n of Hen ry V I I ) .

M rs M a rg a ret P a st on , a t N orwich
. .

R I GH T hon our able an d most t en der good

'

w ith all the rem an en t a t the kin g s will, an d ,

mother I recommen d me to y ou be seech so sho uld in a ll h aste n o w come in t o th e

ki n g ; an d s ome m
, ,

i n g yo u to h a v e a s my trust is th at I h a ve en say th a t h e i s gon e out

of the M oun t m
, ,

y ou r d a il y bl e ssi n g ; an d th an k you of y ou r en wo t n ot t o wh a t pl a ce an d
, ,

good motherhood kin dn e ss cheer cha rge , , , , y e t left a grea t ga rri s on there well furn ished ,

a n d co sts which I h a d a n d p ut y ou to a t m y
,
i n vict ual a n d all other thi n g .

l as t bei n g w ith y ou which God give me , Item a s for the h a vin g a g a in of C a ister, I
,

gra ce h ereafter t o deserve ! tr us t to h a ve good ti di n gs thereof h astil y .

P le as e it y ou to weet th a t I thin k lon g ,

'
Item m y brother J ohn fa reth well, and
,

tha t I he a r n ot from y o u or from Pea cock , b a th do n e right dilige n tly in my co usi n

’
yo ur ser v an t for the k n owle d ge h ow h e h ath
, E li za beth Bern e y s m at t er whereo f h ast il y I ,

don e in the sale of my fa rm ba rle y n or wh a t , tr ust he sh all sen d her tidin gs th a t sh all
i s m a de thereo f ; where fore I be seech y ou if ,
ple as e her ; a n d a s t o morrow he p urposeth -

i t be n ot an swered b y tha t time th a t thi s bill to take h is j our n ey to W ales w a rd to the L ord
c ometh to y ou t o h as t e him a n d it hitherwa rd ; Ri v er s
for if th a t h a d n ot t a rried me I de emI h a d
, .

No more a t thi s t ime, but Je su h ave y ou in

bee n a t C al a i s b y thi s d a y ; for i t is so as men ,
h is keepi n g .

sa y th a t the Fre n ch ki n g with a gre a t ho s t is

,
Written a t L on do n the 2oth d a y of P ebr u
a t Amie n s, b ut three score mile s from C al a i s ; a ry, in the 1 3 th ye a r of E dw a rd I V .

a n d if he or h is rode be fore C al a i s an d I n ot ,
Your son ,

there I wo uld be sorr y

Item m
J P A S T O N kn ight
.
,
. .
,
en sa y th a t the E a rl of O x ford
,
L o n d on
h a th been c o n str a i n ed to sue for h is pardo n S un da y 2oth o f Feb ruary
,
,

,
on ly of his li fe ; an d h is body, goods, l a n ds, 1 4 73 13 E IV
. . .

LE T C CCX L IV — ( L X vol 1 1 p 1 5 9 )
T E R . . . . .

W e h a ve in this l etter a pl eas in g a cco un t of th e i n ten ded e xcursi o n of th e ki n g in to divers coun ti es in 1 4 74

th e m otive o f whi ch m o st pr ba bly wa s to ra is e m ore eas ily by h is pre sen ce an d ch eer ful address ben c
W e are h ere i n form
o , ,

v ol enc es up on h i s subj ects to w ar d s th e e xp en se s of h is war with Fran ce e d likewise .

 P A ST O N LE T T E RS . 85

th at th e co un ty o f N orfo lk h a d b e en highly sp o ke n o f to th e kin g n ot on ly for th e rich es a n d h ospita li ty o f ,

its i n h a bita n ts b ut fo r t h e b ea uty n d g reea bl e b eh avi o ur o f i ts wo m en ; a reas o n s uffi ci en t fo r s o l n g a

, a a o
Sta y a m o n gst th e m as s e med in te n de d to b e m a d e by a n a mo ro us a n d h a n ds o m e m o n a rch
, e , .

T o his bro ther S ir J ohn P a s ton , Kn ig h t, be this letter deliv ered .

S IR , I recommen d me un to y ou letti n g you will he be on P alm S un d a y e v en ;5 an d so

weet th a t (Heref ollows som
,

e a ccoun t rela t ive tarr y th ere all E aster an d then to W al sin g

6

t o a g ra n tf rom h am
, ,

the cr ow n &c ) y e h a d n eed to w a rn Wil

7 where fore
;
e
.
,

A s for my lord t re as urer 1 he was n ot with li a m Gog n e y an d his fellows to pu r v e y them of

the ki n g o f all the co un cil time 2 the which ,
wi n e e n o ugh for e v er y m
,
a n be areth me i n

was e n ded on the 3 d d a y o f M a rch And . h an d tha t the tow n sh a ll h e dran k dry as York
thither c ame m y L ord of North umberl an d 3 ,
was when the k i n g was there .

the first d a y of March an d departed the e v en,

S ir M a ster S a mpso n recomme n d him un to
,

a fore the m aki n g of thi s letter ; an d ha th i n y o u, a n d he h a th sen t y ou a ri n g b y E d

den ted with th e kin g for the kee pin g out of mo n d Derm -

an an d bes ides th a t he re
the S cots a n d wa rri n g on the m; an d sh all
,

quired me to write un to y o u th a t it were be st

h a ve l a rge mo n ey, I ca n n ot tell the s umfor for y ou to p ur v e y y o u o f some gen tl em
,

an y

(g en tlem
’
c er ta in a n li/
ze
) thi n gs a ga i n st th e ki n g s
co m
.

Also there is a rover ta ken at Bris tol on e ,

i n g for sure he w ill brin g y ou guests
,

Cowper as I ween an d he is like to be ha n ged

, , ,
e n o ugh an d there fore p urvey y ou there a fter
,
.

’
an d he co n fe sseth more o f h is fellow s Al so . Al so he se n deth y ou word th a t it is m y lord s
,
.

E dwa rd Heesto we of D over is a ppe a ched o f mi n d tha t m y sister w ith all other goodl y ,

tre as o n of m an y stran ge poi n t s ; a n d h is a c folks there a bo ut should a ccompan y with ,

euser a n d he were both a fore the ki n g a n d ,

D ame E li z a beth C a l th orp 8 bec a use there is ,

n o gre a t l a dy there a bout a g a i n st the ki n g s

'

then the y were take n a pa rt ; a n d he himsel f ,

co n fessed it tha t h is a ccuser a cc used him o f, comi n g ; for my lord h a th m a de gre a t b o as t

an d man y other thi n gs more th an he was of the fa ir an d good ge n tlewome n of the
a cc used of A n d he h a d m an y lord s a n d
. co un tr y a n d so the kin g sa id he wo uld see
ge n tlemen t o an swer for h is truth an d h is them sure .

demean in g a fore time for as I he ard say , ,

S ir my lord ha th se n t un t o the most par t
,

both the ki n g in a m an n er n or n on e of the ,

o f the ge n tlemen of E ssex to w a it upon him

other lords n or gen tlemen belie v ed n o t h is a t Chelm sford where as he in ten d eth to meet
,
,
a ccuser t ill th a t he co n fe ssed it him s el f an d with the kin g an d th a t the y be well a p
poin t ed tha t the L an c as hire m en m
, ,

s o he is in the T ower a n d like to be de a d 4 a y see

, .
,
’
A s for the ki n g s comi n g i n t o the co un tr y ; th a t there be gen tleme n of so grea t sub stan ce
on M o n d a y come fortn ight he w ill lie a t the th a t the y be a ble to buy all L a n cashire M en .

a bbey of S tr a tford an d so to Chelm sford thin k th a t y e a mo n g y o u will do the same

, ; .

then to S ir T hom as M on tgomer y s ; then t o ’

Yo ur coun tr y is gre a tly b oa sted of also th e ,

H even i n gh am ; the n to C olche ster ; then to i n h a bitors o f the same I beseech y o u to .

Ipswich then to B ur y ; then to D ame A n n e remember m y hor se th at you promised me .

W in gfiel d s, an d so to Norwich ; an d there

'

God keep you .

Writte n a t S hee n in h aste the 7 th d i y o f , ,

M a rch, with the h an d of y o ur b rother ,

Willi a m Grey Bi sh op o f Ely

, . W ILL IA M P A S T O N .

2 T h e si tt i n g f p a rli m e t
o a n
S h een Mo n da y 7 th o f Ma rch
.

3
Hen ry P ercy E arl o f N orth umb erla n d ; thi s
,
,

E IV
, ,

co n trac t wa s e n tered i n to by him m ost p ro ba bly a s . .

W a rden o f th e M arch es ; a pl a ce o f trust h on our , ,

a n d p ro fit T hi s n o blem a n was cruelly m urd ere d by

a m
. 5 3 rd o p ril , 1 4 7 4 .

o b in Y o rk shi e when h e was th ere l ev in g a pril

, r , y
6 l oth o f A
, 1 47 4 [ It will be b or n e i n mi n d
.

p ublic ta x in 1 4 8 9 th at th e year co mmen ced o n M arch

,

4 T
his exp ressi on seem s to i n si n uate th at h e w ould 7 I supp o se to
p a y h is de voti on s to th e im a g e f o
b e ex ecute d p riva tely i n th e T o wer [ W e see n o . O ur L a dy th ere .

m
reaso n for thi s suppo sit io n We thin k it is m erely 3 Wid o w o f S ir Jo hn C al th or
.
p a n d da ugh ter o f ,

ean t th at h e was n o t likely to be p ardon e d ] Roger Wen tworth E sq ,

.
86 P AS T O N LE T T E R S .

L ET T E R C C CX L V — (XIV vol v p . . . . .

[ N
I thi s le tt er John Pa ston writes t o his pra y y ou th a t ye will a s I des ired y ou, ,

bro t her S ir J ohn on the subj ec t o f h is wooi n g . commu n e with Joh n L ee or h is wi fe or both, , ,

H e a ppears a thor o ughly c a reful a n d w ary a n d to un derst an d how the m a tt er a t the

s ui t or, as he h as t wo i f n ot three l a die s i n Bl a ck Fri a rs do th , a n d th at ye will see an d

view although his fanta zy i n cli n es him to
,
spe ak with the thi n g yo ur sel f, a n d with her

M i stress E li z abe th E ber t on e v en i f E ber t on fa ther an d mo ther, ere ye depar t Also

m
.
,

wold n ot geve so moche w t M a istress E l yza th a t it like y ou to spe a k t o yo ur a po thec ar y ,

” ’
bet his d owgh ter a s I my gh t h a ve w the other
t
. which was s ometi e the E arl of W a rwick s
But we will let him spea k for him sel f H e . a pothec a r y a n d t o wee t o f h im wh at the
,

requests h is brother, “ ere th at ye depar t out widow of the Bl a ck Fri a rs is worth an d wh a t ,

o f L o n do n to spe a k w i th H a rr y E berton s
’
her h usban d s n ame was ; h e can tell all, for
’

w i fe draper an d t o in form her th a t I am

, ,
he i s exec ut or to the w idow s h usban d ” ’
.

p ro ffered a m a rri a ge in L on don which is worth H ere he seem s t o thi n k h is own con sen t t o be
s ix h un dred m arks
(4 0 0l ) an d be tter, with al l th a t is n ece ss a ry We give a n o ther p as
whom I pra y ed y ou to comm un e, i n as m
. .

’
u ch sa ge t o show the n a ture of a ge n tlem an s
as I might n ot t arry i n L on don mysel f ; w a rdrobe a t th a t t ime “
I pr a y y ou th a t
Pit t m
.

a l wa y s re ser v i n g th a t i f so be th at M rs
, . a y trus s in a m a il
[ tr un k] which I ,

E ber t on will de a l with me, th a t ye sho uld le ft in yo ur ch a mber a t L o n don my ta w n y ,

n ot con cl u de i n the other pl a ce tho ugh s o

,
gown furred with bl a ck a n d the doublet of ,

were th a t E ber ton wo uld n o t give so m uch p urple sa tin a n d the double t of bl a ck sat in , an d
w ith M rs E li za beth h is da ugh ter a s I migh t
. my writin g box o f c ypress an d my Book of
-

h ave w i th the other for such fan tasy as I

, the M eetin g of the D uke an d o f the E mperor, ’

h a ve in the sa id M rs E li zabeth E bert on ;

.
(prob abl y Ch arles D uk e of B urgun d y an d
a n d th a t i t l ike y ou t o sa
’

y to E b erton s wi fe the E mperor Frederic III ) T h e writin g .

th a t such a s I sp ake t o her o f sh all be bettered desk of cypre ss wood co uld n ot h ave been a
r a ther th an em éy red [im
-

p p a ir ed ] as for my common a rticle a t thi s period a n d t ogether , ,

" ‘

p ar t If the pro ffered m arri a ge wa s n ot a with the book sho w he h a d a literary tast e
mere ruse it m ay or m
. .
,

,
a y n ot re fer t o the T h e re st of the le tter is un i n teresti n g except ,

followi n g ex tr a c ts, which howe v er wo uld perh a ps the sta teme n t th a t h is mother will l a
pro ffered m
, ,

n ot j ust ify the a sser t io n of a ar h our “

th a t the t wo hun dred m arks ( 1 3 3 1
(is 8 d ) m
.

"
ria g e worth six h un dred m a rk s Be fore a y be h a d for the wood so th a t i t

givi n g the p assa ges we m

. . .
,

ay observe th a t the seem s he could n ot borrow for h is brother b ut ,

”
word thin g, which he a pplies t o her was a t
“
was forced like m a n y others s i n ce, t o
,
“
fell
tha t time a n d a fterw a rd fre quen tl y used a s
, , a n d sell
”
D a t ed Norwich, M on day, July 25,
.

a t erm o f e n dearmen t an d n ot of con t emp t . 1 47 5 J

LE T T E R C CCX L VI —
( X V vol v p . . . .

[S IR J oh n Pa st on here wri tes t o h is mo ther me at l a rgel y ; this seem s a sm all sumfor a

a bo ut the me an s of r a i s i n g mo n e y b ut the ,
j o urn e y from Norwich t o L on don a n d ba ck ;
deta il s a re un in t erestin g H e h a d bee n on
. the more s o as in the previo us letter h is
a vi si t t o h is mo ther a n d h a d bee n ill
, b ut ,
bro ther s en ds him ten shilli n gs for th e con
sa y s h e h a d v ey an ce of the tr un k with h is clothe s a n d
qu i t e recovered th an ks to her ,

c are H e men tion s th a t Gourby the c arrier

. writi n g desk H e con cl ud es th e letter i n a
-
.

h a th h a d “ 4 0d t o p ay for the third hired

. s ty le th a t doe s credi t to h is t ast e, an d d is

horse a n d he brin geth the three hors es with pl a y s s ome h umo ur A s for the b ooks th a t
‘

, .

him an d is con te n t for the l abour an d the were S ir Ja me s s (Gl eys the priest s), if i t
'

, ,
 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .
87

l ike y ou tha t I m
a y h a ve them , I a n ot m a dd ressed
] here the mare an d if of
m
, an y

a ble to b u
y them , b u t so ewh a t wo uld I cl a imed here after in fa ith I will restore it .

gi v e, a n d the rem an en t, with a good devout T h e l as t promise shows it was so common to

hea rt b y m y troth , I w ill pra y for h is s oul ; borrow book s the n both sc arce an d v a l uable
m
, ,
wherefore, if it like y ou, b y the n ex t es th at it was likel y upon a schol a r s dea th th at '

e ger or c a rrier to sen d them i n a d ay I s ome o f the mmight be recl a imed D ated “

s n , .

sh all h a ve them d ressyd

[re bo un d or perh a ps -

,
S a t urd a y, be fore November ,

LET T E R CC C X L VII —(X VI vol v p . . . .

n a bou t mon ey from S ir

'

[ T H I S le tter is a ga i J a mes s God h a ve his so ul ! which it like th

,

J ohn to h is mo ther His un cle W illi a m h a d y ou th a t I sha ll h a ve them I be seech y o u

m m
.
,

l en t hi mon ey , which e n abled h i 2 to redeem that I might h ave them hither by the n ext
the m an or of S porle, b ut on l y on sufficien t me ssen ger ; a n d if I be go n e yet th at the y be
m
,

s ecuri ty, for he sa y s,

“
I a as m uch afra id deli v ered to mi n e ho stess a t the George a t
'

of thi s l an d th a t i s in h is h a n d as I w as Pa ul s Wh ar f which will keep them safe ; ,

of th a t th a t was in T ow ns he n d s (h is former a n d th a t it lik e

'

y ou to wri t e to me wh a t the
” ”
creditor) han d H e a g a in re v erts t o the
. p i or payme n t sha ll be for them
a n D ated .

books “ A s for t he books th a t were S ir

. L on do n S un d a y , N o v 20,
, .

LE '
rT E R C CCX L VIII
( LX I vol 1 1 p .
-
. . . .

I h a v e given th e form er p art o f thi s l etter a s a sp ecim en o f th e free an d e a sy epis to la ry style of a n age
wh ich we a re too a pt to con sider a s a lm ost en tirely illitera te ; o n a s imila r subj ect a m o demgen tlem a n
co uld scarcely h a v e e xpressed him sel f i n e a sier term s or with m ore pro priety th o ugh i n on e i n stan ce p er
, ,

hap s w ith m ore p oliten ess .

f ore M rs P a ston s g a te in N orwich

'

To J ohn P a ston , Es q . at N orwich, or t o R oose, d ev elling a . .

R I G H T worshipful a n d well beloved brother -

,
wrote me a bill thereof which I sen d y ou ,

I recommen d me t o you ; letti n g y ou wee t th a t herewith a n d th a t th a t longeth " to me to do ’

I h ave commun ed w ith your frie n d D a n son ,

a n d h a v e received y o ur ri n g of him an d he
ha th b y min e a dvice spoke n with her two
t ime s ; 1 he t elleth me of her dealin g a n d
a n s wers, which if they were a ccordi n g to h is
therei n it sh all n ot fa il to le a ve all other
,
b usi n ess a part n evertheless withi n three d ay s
I hope so to dea l herei n tha t I suppo se to set
y ou i n cert a in t y how th a t ye sh a l l fin d her
for e v er here after .

sa y i n g a fa i n t er lover th an ye wo uld a n d
, ,
It is s o as I un derstan d, th a t y e be as b usy
,

well o ugh t t o take therein grea t com fort so

, ,
on yo ur side for yo ur frie n d D an s on where as
2
tha t (even thoug h) he might h apl y sleep t h e [ w here
] ye be ; I pr a y God sen d y ou both

worse three n ights a fter . good speed in these work s which i f they be , ,

A n d such de al in g in p a r t a s was be tween bro ught a bo ut, e a ch o f y ou is mu ch beholden ,

my L a dy W an d your frien d D ans o n he

. t o other ; ye t were it pit y th a t such crafty ‘

1 I d o n ot kn ow to wh om thi s refers : i t rela tes to 2 tra nsl ates w herea s h ere by if W e ha v e

[F en n .

s o m e l ady to wh o m h e th e n p a id h i s a ddre sse s

(th e , al rea dy n oticed t h e i n di scrimi n ate use o f w h e e an d r

L ady W after m en ti on ed I sup po se ) a n d wh o by th e wh e ea s ; by atten di n g to thi s a n d alteri n g F en n s

'
’
-
. r ,

n ext l etter a pp ear s to be L ady W algr ave wid o w o f , un ctua tio n th e sen tence is p erfectly clear an d
, ,

S ir Ri ch ar d W a lgra v e k n igh t [ He a ppears to h a ve

,

, .
Jus tifies h i s o wn prai se of th e styl e ) .

b een a v ery gen eral b ut unsucce ssful wooern]

88 P AST O N L E T T E R S .

w ooers as ye be bo th sho uld speed well, b ut come t o C al a i s I sha ll fin d all thin g there as
i f ( un less) ye love tr ul y 1 . I wo uld h a ve it, a n d ra ther better than it was
’
Item as for S toc ton s d aughter sh e sh a ll
, ,
hereto fore .

b e wedded in h aste to Skeern e as sh e told I tem, the kin g c a me to thi s town on Wed
hersel f to my s il km
,
2
a id which m aketh p a rt of n esd a y ; for the Fre n ch embas sa de 4
(em
, as

such a s sh e sh a ll we a r to whom sh e broke ba ssy ) th a t is here they come ri ot in the

ki n g s prese n ce b y likelihood for m
, ,
’

(op en ed ) her hea rt, a n d told her th a t sh e en sa y ,

sho uld h a ve h a d M as t er P as to n a n d m y m a id ,
th a t th e chief of them i s he th a t poi son ed
wen d (thoug ht) it h a d bee n I th a t sh e spoke both the D uke of Berry a n d the D uke of
o f ; a n d with more (m oreover
) th a t the sa m e C a l a bria .

M a ster P asto n come where sh e was with Item there was n e v er more likelihood th a t
twe n t y m
,

en an d wo uld h a v e take n her

, the ki n g sho uld go o v er sea this n ext ye ar th an
a w a y ; I told my m a id th a t sh e l ied o f me w as n o w.

I pra y y ou remember th a t I m
,

a n d th a t I n ever spoke with her in my li fe ,

a y h a v e the

n o r th a t I wo uld n o t wed her to h a ve with pewter ve ssel hither by the n ext c arrier by th e
h er three thousa n d m a rk s ( 20 0 0 l ) la tter en d of this week
I tem I pra y y ou remember so th at I m
. .

’
Item a s for E b erton s dau ghter m y brother
, , ,
ay

E dmo n d sa ith th a t he he ar d n e v er more speech h a v e the book s by the same t ime wh ich my ,

thereof s i n ce yo ur departin g a n d th a t y e , mother sa id sh e wo uld sen d me by the n ex t

w o uld th a t he sho uld n ot bre a k n or do . carrier .

n othi n g therei n b ut if (un less

) it c ame of their Written a t L on don the S un da y the 2oth ,

begi n n i n g . o f November in the 1 4th y e a r o f E dw a rd IV

,
.

Item I h a d an swer from m y lord 3 th a t he

, J o n N P A S T O N , kn ig ht .

i s my speci a l good lord a n d th a t b y writi n g ; , Lo n do n , S un da y ,

a n d as for Ber n e y he set him in h is own 2 0 th of N ove mber , 1 47 4 .

w a ge s for my sa ke an d th a t whe n soever I I4 E IV. .

,

C CC X LIX — (L XII vol 1 1 p 1 7 1

LE '
rT E R . . . . .

We are in thi s l etter b rough t a cq ua in ted with t h e m a nne rs o f th e tim e T h e la dy sh o w s h ersel f a w o m an o f .

h n o ur a n d a bo ve givin g h o p e wh en sh e m ea n t n ot to en coura ge th e a ddre sses o f J P as ton S h e was th e

o ,
. .

wido w o f S ir Rich a rd Wa lgra ve k n i h t a Yorkist; wh o was with th e E a rl o f Ken t a t th e ta kin o f t h e

,
g
, ,

to w n o f Coq uet a n d th e is le o f R h ée ; h e di e d yo un g a n d was succeed ed by h is b ro th er Sir om as

W a l gra ve [An oth er un succ essful a ttem
,

. pt by p oor J oh n P a ston ) .

To J ohn P a ston , E s q .

B R O T H E R I recommen d me to you ; lett in g

,
in her n o m atter n or c ause th at I m igh t ta ke
y o u weet th a t I h a ve like a s I promi sed y ou c om fort of
I h a ve do n e m
. .
, ,

y devoir to k n ow m y L a d y n ece ssa r y to i n for m th e read er th at in 1 47 2 L ewi s

W al grav e s stom a ch (resolut ion ) which a s
, ,
’
, , XL ki n g o f F ran ce fi n din him sel f dra wn i n to a
, ,
g

God help me an d to be pl a i n to y ou I fin d
, , wa r wi th th e D uk e o f Burg un dy i n ord er to bri n g
a b o ut a m a rr i a g e bet w ee n h is b roth er Ch a rl e s Duke ,

1 i i s a v ery ple asa n t an d goo d —h umo ure d bit o f B erry an d G uienn e an d M a ry th e da ughter a n d
[T h s ,

o f sa rcas m S ir J oh n seem s a lw a ys to h a e a p retty

.
v . h eir of th a t duk e e mploye d prop er p erso n s to ,

correct con cep tio n of the ch aracters o f th ose h e a d destro y h is broth er an d b y th at m ea ns to e xtri cate
,

dre ses ]
s .
him fro m th ese troubles T h e dea th o f th e D uk e o f .

2 A p erso n wh o m ade g o wn s o f silk & c for b oth Berry wa s effecte d by a slo w po i son o f which h e
men an d w om en as app ears fro m th e mann er in
, . ,

,
di e d in M a y 1 47 2 a ge d abo ut 26 years M a ry th e
, ,
.
,

which sh e is h ere m en ti on e d r ich est h eiress of her tim e was born in 1 4 5 7 an d by

3 I am
. , ,

n o t certa i n wh eth er th e D uk e o f Nor fo lk is h er fa ther th e D uk e of B urgun dy was promi sed i n

, ,

h ere mea n t or Lord H astin gs th e then gov ern or o f

,
m a rriage to v a ri ous ten ta tes an d a m on g st th e ,

C ala i s .
rest to Nich ol as o f njo u D uk e o f Cala bria a n d
, ,

4 F or th e better un d erstan di n g o f thi s cur i o us L orra i n T hi s pri n ce di e d i n A ug ust 1 4 7 3 a ge d

. , ,

a n ecd ote which refl ects h on o ur o n K i n g E dw ard a bo ut 25 h ere sa id by p o i so n a dmi n i stere d by th e

b oth as a sovereign prin ce a n d a m
, ,

an i t will be , s a m e h a n d th a t too k o ff th e D uke o f Berry .

90 P AST O N LE T T E RS .

i t is so th a t a s t o morrow I purpo se t o ride

-
D uke of B urgun dy a fore Nuys an d the ,
i n to Fl an ders t o purvey me of horse a n d 2
emperor h a th besieged al so , n ot far from
'

h a rn e ss ; perc ase (p ercha n ce) I sh all see the then ce a c astle a n d a n other t ow n in like
wis e wherei n the duke s m
,
1
s iege o f N ys ere I come a ga in i f I ha ve
'

u en be
A n d a ls o t he Fren ch ki n g m
.
,
t ime ; where fore, if I so do by likelihood i t
, en say is , ,
w ill be a four teen d a y s ere I be here a ga i n ; c omi n g n igh t o the w at er of S omme with
an d a fter, a s I he a r from y ou an d other s 4 0 0 0 spe ars a nd s ome , en t row
(thin k)3 m
t here upon , th a t at the n ext p a ssa ge an d God , th at h e w ill a t the d ay of breaki n g of t ruce
, ,
will I purpose t o c ome t o L on don w a rd :
, or els e before, set upon t he duke s coun tri es ’

God sen d me good speed ; in chief for the h ere.

m a tt er a bove wri tten ; a n d s e c on dly for t o , When I he a r more I sha ll sen d you more
a ppo in t wi th t he ki n g an d my lord for such t idin gs
m
.

re t in u e as I sho uld h a v e n ow in t he se w ar s T h e k in g s a mb assa dors S ir T ho as M on t

'

i n t o Fra n c e ; where fore I pr a y y ou in Norfolk gomery an d the M as ter of the Rolls “ be

an d o ther pl a ces comm un e w i th su ch as ye
, comin g homeward from Nuy s 5 a n d as for me ,
thin k likely for y ou an d m e th a t a re d isposed I thin k th at I should be s i c k b ut i f (un less)
’
t o t a ke w a ges in gen tlemen s houses a n d I see it
el sewhere, so th a t we m
.

a y be t he more re a dy S ir J oh n of Pa rre an d Willia m B e rk eley

w hen th a t n eed is ; n eve rthele ss a t thi s ho ur c a me thi s w a y to Fl an der s w ard to buy them
I would be gl a d t o h a ve with me d a il y three hor se an d h a rn e ss an d (I) m a de S ir J P arre , .

or four more t han I h a ve su ch as were , (a s) good cheer as I could for yo ur sake ; an d

likel y ; for I l a c k of my re ti n ue th a t I h ave he told me th a t y e m a de him h aul te (h ig h)
n ea r s o m a n y. cheer & c a t Norwich No m ore Wri tten
. .
, .

I pr a y y ou s en d me some t idin gs such as , a t C al a i s

,
th e 1 7 th d ay of Jan uary, in the
ye hea r, a n d h ow th a t my brother E dm un d 1 4th ye a r o f E dw ard IV
do th ; for as for t idin gs here there be b ut C a lai s T uesday 1 7 th o f Jan uary
, , ,
few, sa ve th at the siege l as teth st il l by the 1 474 1 4 E IV . . .

L ET T ER CC C L I — (XVII vol v p . . . .

[ M A RG A R E T PA S T O N wri te s t o her son J ohn t o yo u r gr an d a m ; I would sh e were here in

a ga i n a bout mo n ey , compl a i n i n g th a t Rober t Norfolk a s well a t e a se a s ever I saw her, a n d ’

Clere h a d n ot been p a id 201 len t by him a n d

. as li ttle r uled b y her son as ever sh e was an d ,

h is mo th er t o S ir J oh n ; sh e s uppose s th a t the n I wo uld hope th a t we all sho uld fare

”
Willia m Paston o ugh t t o h a ve p a id i t, for the better for her T hi s son wa s n o doub t the
he b ath a suret y for all th at an d more b ut “ un cle VVilliam so ofte n all uded t o o f
.

he h a d re fus ed un less on the del ivery of whom the re st of the fa mily see mt o h a ve
, ,

s ome pledge s of M a rg a ret Pas tou s the n i n been very w illin g to borrow mon ey a n d
’

t he h an ds of Clere M a rg are t P ast on requests very mu ch surprised a t bein g expec ted t o

'

”
h er son t o as c erta in in h ast e an d let her ay ; whe ther or n ot he was a wa re o f this
“

”
, p
un derstan d how i t i s ,
for I w ere lo at h
to lo se m y pledges ; I wo t i t well your good 2 Fre derick II I o f A ustr i a e mperor o f Germ an y .
,
.

un cle wo uld be i n po sse ss ion with good will 3 T hi s truce b et ween L ewi s X L
, k in g o f Fran ce , ,

an d th e D uk e o f B urgun dy w as t o be a t an en d in
”
b ut I would n ot s o S h e n ex t a ll ude s t o
. ,

other m a tt ers of family dis con t en t Agn es t h e be gin n i n g o f th e s umm er i n 1 4 7 5 .

4 Dr J h n Morto n afterwards Bish op o f E ly

.
. o , ,

Paston h a d been for some time livin g i n L or d Ch an cel lor Archbi sh o p of C an terbury an d , ,

L on don , a n d M a rgare t says Remember me C ardi nal .

5 T h e d uk e p er si sted in thi s s i ege th o ugh th e ,

emperor wi th a l arge force was in th e n eighb ourh ood

much to h is o wn disadv an ta gea as it preven ted h is
.

[N uys is a to w n in Germ an y in th e g o vern m e n t

ci rcl e o f Co l o gn e i n Rh en i sh P r ussia o n th e w est m
1 .
,

, ,
eeting the K i n g o f E n gl a n d ; n d at l ast th e siege
s ide of th e Rhi n e ] was rai se d on certa i n con di ti on s .
 P AS T O N LE T T E RS .
91

S aturda y , J a n 29, 1 4 7 4 In a sort of post

m
fa mily de fec t, he seem s t o h a ve been by n o . .

ea n s wan tin g in a d ue regard to hi s o wn s crip t sh e men tio n s a c urio us ci rc um sta n ce

a dvan ta ge i n all the se b arg a i n s a n d to h a ve ,

con n ected with the c urren c y Fen n con siders .

c ons idered al l th at wa s lega l a s j ust a n d i t t o all ude t o the a lloy oxy d isin g b ut this ,

right From mon e y len di n g Margar et P ast on

.
- could hardl y be the c ase to an ex ten t sufficien t
passe s t o religio us m att er s an d on e of her ,
t o preven t the m on ey from p as sin g A t le ast .

reas o ns for d esiri n g a lice ns e for her ch apel w e h a ve n ever see n specime n s of an y such coi n .

a ppe ars to poi n t t o the evil of n on reside n ce -

S h e say s M y co usin Robert t old me th at
eve n in thos e day s S h e s y a s
“
I would ye there w as more th an 7 1 of the mon ey th a t
was pa id him tha t was righ t on thm
.
. ,

E
sho uld spe ak with my L ord of Norwich an d g g]
ou hl

as sa y t o ge t a lice n se of him th a t I m
‘

ay h a v e r usty an d he co uld n ot h a v e it c an ged : he

,

the sa cr amen t here i n the ch apel beca use it was un goodly [n ot w ell] served t herei n We
is far t o the ch urCh an d I a msickly an d the
, .

, ,
r ather thi n k it mean s coi n o f an e arly date ,
”
pa rson is o ften out S h e was the n re sidi n g
. n ot a t th a t t ime common ly c urren t
]
a t Ma wteb whe n ce thi s letter i s da t ed
y, ,

C CC L II — (XVIII vol v p
LE T T E R . . . . .

s le tt er is writt en from Norwich on t he is n o n e o utl oa d su flered t o go out of thi s

[ a
same d ay as th e l ast by M arga ret P as to n t o
,
co un try as yet ; the ki n g ha th comm an ded
h er other son S ir J ohn , an d con ta i n s n e a rl y a
,
th a t there sho uld n on e go out of this l an d I .

repet i tion of the mon e y a ffa irs men tion ed in fe a r me we sh al l h a ve right a str an ge world ;
”
t he previo us letter E dward IV h ad been
. God a men d it when is will is
. h T he , .

recen tl y ex a cti n g a be n evole n ce as i t was quan tit y worth the a bove n a med prices was
,
-

termed (a tas k or ta x as th e writer s of these ,

n o do u bt t he comb e qual to t wo bushels a , ,

le tt ers c al l it) i n the city an d coun ty an d term st ill fre qu en tly used in reckon in g in the
,

the withdraw al of su ch l a rge su s of mon ey m

e as tern coun tie s
,

T h e l ow price i s c on .

are stat ed t o h ave h a d a mo st depress i n g firmed b y the list of prices in E den s S t ate ,
’

e ffec t upon prices S h e sa y s

. A s for o f the P oor in Appen dix , p age xi he .

’
S porle wood, be fore the kin g s comi n g i n t o gi v e s the price of ca ts in 1 4 7 5 as Is 1 04 per . .

Norfolk I migh t ha ve h a d ch apmen to h ave quarter T h e a ttempt t o regul a t e price s by

.

bought it a gret (in the g ross) for t welve preve n tin g traffic seems t o h a ve been con
s c ore m ark s a n d n ow there will n o sta n t an d alw a y s to h a ve been a tten ded wi th

man b uy i t a gret because of the great su fferin g S he con cludes wi th an a ccoun t

,

good (la rg e sum

.
,

s
) th at the people is la id to of the book s so e arn e stl y de sired by S ir J oh n .

[ a ssessed ] for the kin g ; where fore we are A s for the book s th a t y e de sired to h a v e of
a bo u t t o reta il i t as well as we m
’
ay S ir James s the be st of al l an d the fa ire st i s ,

A s for your ba rley in th is coun tr y i t c an n o t cl a imed ; n or it is n ot in h is i n ven tor y I

be sold above 1 0d or 1 1 d th a t is the greate st sh all assay to get i t for y ou an I m
, .

. . a y ; the

price of barle y here a n d b ut it be a t a better price of thes e o ther book s be sides tha t is
price I purpo se for to d o i t m alt (m
, , ,

a lt it
) 20 s 6d the which I sen d y e a bill o f . If y e
. .

M a lt is sold here b ut for l 3d a n d whe a t like b y the price of them, an d ye will h ave
.
,

2 8 or 26 d a t thi s time, an d oa ts 1 2d
. . T here them, s en d me .

R CCC L III — (XIX vol v p

LETT E
S IR J P as ton w rites fro mC al a i s S un da y
. . . . .

. ven t ed from leavin g C ala is t o urge his sui t

, ,
ch 5 1 4 7 4 5 t o
.
,
“-
h is brother J ohn P as ton
, respectin g C a ister an d e n trea t in g of all or
, ,
o r to h is un cle Willi am P as ton i n W arwick an y of them to do a ll for him th a t they
p 05
L an e or to E dmun d Past on a t the George a t
, si bl y can T h e de ta ils are wholly un i n .

”
Pa ul s Wh a rf, expl a in in g tha t he is pre
’
terestin g ] .
92 P AST O N LE T T E R S .

C CC LI V — (XX vol v p
LETT E R . . . . .

[IN thi s le tt er S ir J oh n Paston an swers h is h a ve h is soul ! [h e con t in ues t o pra y ] I thi

’
mother s letter ( ccclii ) Ha vin g n ow go t a best th a t they be st ill with y o u, til
price fixed on the book s he seem s i n di ffere n t spea k with y ou mysel f M y m
.

in
a bo u t the m
, .

; he probably wi shed h is o ffer as n ow mos t u on

p books T h e re st of th e .

to pa y in g in pra y ers to ha ve been a ccepted letter cons ists of de ta il s as t o h is mon e y tran s .

A s for the book s th a t were S ir Ja me s s God

’
a ctio n s I t is da ted C al ai s Feb 22 1 474 , .
, .
,

C C C LV —
LE T T E R (L XIV vol 1 1 p . . . . .

[T his l etter is written o n th e b ac k o f Letter cccl fro m J P aston an d i s a curi o us in sta n ce o f the un certai n ty
.
, . ,

o f th e tr a n smi ss i on of corresp on den ce If i t is m e an t th at sh e h a d rece ived n o letter si n ce S t M a tth ew s '

But sh e m
.
.

e ve n sh e h ad n o t yet h ad th a t of N o v 20 (Letter
, a p er i o d o f n ea rly fo ur m on th s
.
ay .

m ean that sh e h ad w ri tten thi s l etter o n S t M a tthias ev en b ut co uld n o t sen d i t as sh e a dds if I migh t
.
’
, , ,
“

h a v e h ad a m esse n ger ere thi s tim e 1 h ad se n t i t yo u S h e could sca rcely h av e th ought i t lon g n o t to h a ve
, .
_

received a lett er s in ce M a tthi as e v en a p eri o d o f o n ly ten d a ys We a re i ncli n e d to thi n k sh e all udes to

’
, .

h er o wn writi ng ]
M rs M a rg a ret P a ston ,
. to her son J ohn P a ston .

JO H N PA ST O N , I sen d y ou God s blessi n g an d

'

A n d for the licen ce 2 th a t I sp ake t o y ou,

mi n e ; le tt in g y ou weet th a t I h ad n o n e ere , for t o h a ve the sa crame n t in m y ch a pel i f y e ,
this le tter th an on S a i n t M a tthe w s eve n ; 1 if ’
can n ot ge t i t of the Bi shop o f Norwich get it ,
I migh t h a v e h a d a messe n ger ere this t ime of the Bi shop of C a n terb ury for th a t is mo st
,
I ha d se n t it y ou ; I con y ou th an k for the sure for all pl a ce s , .

lett er tha t ye sen t t o my co usin C al th orp a n d G od keep y ou Writte n on M id l en t.

me o f the tidi n gs ; I wo uld ye should do so S un d a y

more A s y e m
.

. ay remember th a t I sp ake to
M id l en t S un da y
y ou for th e 201 for my cousi n Clere spe a k
,
.
,
sth of M a rch 1 474 .
to yo ur un cle thereo f, an d sen d me an answer 1 5 E IV .
,

thereo f in h as te .

CC C L VI — (XX I vol v p 1 03
LE T T ER . . . . .

A N E G O T I A T I O N for a m arria ge Fen n sa y s see n o me an as th us a d v ised b ut if i t migh t

t a t the gen tlem an was J oh n Bern ey, o f please y ou by y o ur w is do mt o a ttempt i t
.
,

Reedh am E sq , an d th a t the n ego t i ation wa s farther, as ye seem most co n v e n ie n t an d

,
.
,

su cce ssful a s he m a rried Alice

,
da ugh ter o f there upon t o be g uided by yo ur goo d a d v ice
, ,

Rich a rd S outhwell , E sq of Wood risi n g in as the c a se sh a l l re uire

q wherein y e sh al l
bi n d me herea fter to do th a t m
-
.
,
Nor folk the writer o f thi s letter t o John
,
a y be y o ur

Past on E sq We give all b ut th e compli

,
. pleasure t o my power an d ye t with n o better ,

me n tary part o f the letter “ A n d cous in , will th an I h a ve h a d so God help me wh o

.
, , ,

i n the m a t ter th a t it l iked y ou to remember ha ve y ou e v er in h iskeepin g a n d sen d yo u your ,

’
me in bo th t o m y worship an d plea sure I he a r t s desire t o h is pleasure a n d i f i t pleas e
, ,

fea r me th a t n either my poor d au ghter n or y o u t o remember fa rther in the premi se s, I

poor p urse ca n n or m a y be t o h is ple as ure ; trus t y e sh all lo se n o l a bo ur on m y poor par t ;
wo uld God either might ; an d I should take howbei t I fe a r me sore as I bega n both of , ,

me righ t n e a r t o h is ple asure sa vin g mysel f, my poor d augh ter a n d purse

, D a ted Wood .

I e n sure y ou b y my t roth ; a n d how to un der ri sin g, M arch 26, about

sta n d h is di spo s itio n an d ple as ure therein I ,

1
(S t M a tth e w s
.
’
an n iversa ry i s S epte mber 2 1 .
2We are h ere i orm ed th a t th e archbish op s
nf
’

St. M a tth ias s (i n ’

ori gi n a l S en t M a th e us ) is
“ ”
licen ce wa s p refera ble to that o f th e diocesa n a n d ,

Fe b . seem s to h a ve h ad greater p r ivil eges ann e xe d to it .

94 I’A S T O N L E T T E R S .

L ET T E R C CC L X — ( XXIV vol v p
. . . . .

[ S IR J oh n Past o n wri te s t o his m o ther from Fre n ch ki n g a pea ce for seven ye a r s ,

C al a i s, an d an n o un ce s th e con cl usion of the co n c lu ded, a fter a person a l in terview bet

j ourn e y t o Fran ce of E dw a rd IV H e h a d .

r a i sed l a rge sum s in E n gl an d t o c arry on a

war a g a i n st the Fre n ch i n alli an ce wi th t he n o other m a tt er of i n tere st a n d t o t hi s there ,

D uke o f B urgun dy but the l a tter fa ili n g him

,
a mere a ll us io n
,
D a ted M o n da y, S ept l .
.

an d , it is sa id , his mi n i st ers bei n g bribed by the

LE T T ERC CC L XI — (X X V v ol v p . . . . .

J O HN P A ST O N wri t e s to h is bro ther S ir J oh n a n d sa ys b ut I wa s n ever so well armed for

[
o f the further pro gre ss t ow a rd s t he recov e ry of the war a s I h a ve n ow a rmed me for cold ;
,

C a i ster H e sa y s th e kin g h as prom is ed there wherefore I a dvi se you ta ke ex ample by me

.

sh all be n o d el ay b ey on d t he 3 rd Nov of t h e
'

. if i t h a ppe n y ou t o be s ick a s ye were when ,

’

presen t ye a r ; th at th e D uke of Nor folk s I was a t C al a i s in a n y wise keep y ou w arm , .

co un cil a ckn owledge h is righ t ; an d th a t I wee n H arry Wodeho use n or Ja mes Ar bl as ter
my l a dy swea reth an d so dot h B arn a rd o n wear n ever a t on ce so m an y co a ts hose a n d
, ,
her beh al f th a t sh e would as fa in ye h a d i t boo ts as I do or el se b y God we h a d gon e
, ,

a s an y body n o tw ith sta n di n g sh e sa id n ot so there fore ; wh a t we sh all y e t I c an n o t say but ,

”
t o me sin ce I c a me home for I p ke n ot to
s a I bea r me bold on two da ys a men d in g
H e com R a ther a shor t time t o recommen d h is 9 X
.
,
”
her but on ce sin ce I sa w y ou l ast . 9

pl a in s of illn ess occ as ion ed by ta ki n g cold , p erien ce so con fide n tly D a t ed Norwi ch , .

bo th a t C al a i s an d si n ce h is re t ur n home 5 T uesda y , O ct 1 0, .

LE TT E R C CC LXII — (L XVI vol 1 1 p 1 83

. . . . .

T hi s l etter rec ords a m o st cur i o us con v ersa ti on b etw een th e ki n g th e D uk e o f Nor fo lk a n d S ir “ illi a m
'

, ,

Bran don relativ e to Ca ister S ir W illia m Bran don wa s fath er of Ch a rl es Br a n don afterw ards created D uk e
, . ,

o f S uffo lk .

To S ir J ohn P a ston , K n ig ht, lodg ed a t the Georg e, bg P a ul s Wh a r

’

f; in L on d on .

’
A F T E R all dutie s of recommen da tion , pleas e W B wh a t m y lord s a n swer was to him, an d
. .

’
i t y ou t o un derstan d that I h a ve spoken w ith S ir W B told th e ki n g th a t m y lord s an swer
. .

my l a dy sin ce I wrot e t o y ou l as t ; a n d sh e was th a t the kin g sho uld as soon h a ve h is li fe

'

told me th a t the kin g h a d n o such words to as th a t pl a ce ; an d then the ki n g a sked my ,

my lord for C a i ster a s ye t old me ; b ut sh e lord whether he sa i d so or n ot a n d my lord ,

sa ith th at the ki n g a sked m y lord a t h is d e sa id y ea A n d the ki n g sa id n ot on e word

,
.

p arti n g from C al a i s how he would de al with a g a i n b ut turn ed h is b a ck an d we n t his wa y ;

, ,

C a i ster an d my lord an swered n ever a word

,
b u t m y l a d y t old me an d (if ) the kin g h a d
.

S ir W Bra n don st ood by, an d th e ki n g

. spoken an y word in the world a fter th a t t o my

as ked him wh a t my lord wo uld do in th a t lord, my lord wo uld n ot have sa id him n ay .

m a tt er ; sayin g tha t he h ad comm an ded him A n d I h a ve gi v e n my l a dy w arn i n g th a t I

before t ime t o mo v e my lord with th a t m a tter , will do my lord n o more service ; but ere we
a n d S ir W Br an do n g a ve th e ki n g t o a swer
. n pa rted sh e m a de me t o m ake her (a ) promi se ,

t h a t he h ad don e so ; the n the kin g asked S ir th a t I sho uld le t her h a ve k n owledge ere I
 P AS T O N LE T T E R S .
95

pa ssi n g sick ; i t will n ot out o f my st om a ch

by n o mean , I a un don e, I m m
a y n ot ea t
h al f e n ough when I ha ve mo st hun ger I a m ,
so Well die ted a n d y e t i t will n ot be God
, .

sen d y ou beele
(hea lth) for (I) h a ve n on e ,

three d a ys together do the best I can , .

Written a t Norwich the M on da y n ex t ,

be fore S a i n t S imon an d J ude 3 i n the 1 5 th ,

ye ar o f E dward IV .

J O HN PA ST O N .

re a dy a ga i n st yo ur comi n g
No rwich
.

I h a ve been right sick a g a in si n ce I wro te ,

Mon da y 23rd o f O ctober

, ,
2
t o y l t, an d thi s sa me d a y h a ve I been
ou a s 1 475 1 5 E IV
. . .

LE T CCC L XIII —(L XVII vol 1 1 p

T E R . . . . .

[ T his letter con tai n s an accoun t o f th e d eath o f th e D uk e o f N orfolk an d o f h is fun eral ] John Mo wbray
'

Duk e of N orfolk & c was reta in ed by E dward IV to serv e him in h is w ars i n Fran ce in 1 4 7 3 ; h e m
,
,

,
.
,
.
a rr i e d
E li z abeth da ughter o f Joh n T alb ot fi rst E a rl of S hre w sbury a n d died sudden ly at h is ca stl e o f Fra mli n gh a m
, , ,

o n th e 1 7 th o f Jan ua ry 1 4 7 5 1 5 E IV , a n d wa s b ur i e d in th e abbey ch urch O f T hetfor d in N orfo lk He le ft

, .
.

an o n ly d a ugh ter an d h eir An n e m arri e d i n h er e arly age to Rich ar d P l an t a ge n et D uk e o f York wh o dyi n g

, , , ,

without i ssue th e grea t p ossessi on s an d h on ours o f thi s n obl e family cam e to S ir John Howa rd kn igh t L or d
, , ,

Ho ward wh ose mo th er was a si ster an d co h eir O f T h o mas Mo

,
”
wb r a y D uk e o f N orfo lk
-

[T h ough S ir J o hn , .

says th e D uk e s d ea th occur r ed n ot i n th e m o st h a pp yiseas on for him h e i n stan tly too k p o sse ssio n o f C ai ster
’
, .
a n d succeed e d in reta in i ng i t ] .

Yh is letter ha s n o d irection , but it is written either to John P a ston E sq , or M a rg a ret P a ston , .

.

L uce i t y ou t o wee t th at n ot in the most , ,

an d I u nder ta ke it sh a ll be sa ved a ga i n for

h app y se as on for me it is so fortun ed tha t, , y ou un h urt a t my peril ; I d eem hereb y t o

-

whereas my L ord ofN or folk y esterda y bein g get grea t tha n k s a n d gre at assistan c e in t ime
to come ; a n d th a t either S ymor M other
,

i n good he alth thi s n igh t died a bo ut mid

Brown m
,

n igh t, where fore it is for all th a t lo v ed him a y deliver it t o me t o morro w by

to do an d help n ow th a t th a t m
-

a y be t o h is se v en of the clock .

hon o ur a n d we al to h is soul ; an d i t is so I tem , as for other mean s I h a ve sen t my

tha t this co un tr y i s n ot well p ur v eyed of cloth s ervan t Rich ard T ori n g t o L on don which I ,
O f gold for the co v eri n g for h is bod y an d hope sh all brin g me good t idin gs a ga in , an d
herse where fore every m
,

an hel pi n g t o his withi n fo ur da y s I hope t o see y ou .

power I put the co un cil of m y lord in com

, Wri t ten on Wedn esda y the 1 7 th d ay of ,
for t th a t I hoped t o ge t on e for th a t d a y if i t Jan uary, in the 1 5 th y e ar O f E dward IV
, .

were so th a t it be n ot broken or p ut to other JO HN P A S T O N , kn ig ht

am n gh am
.

use ; where fore ple a se i t y ou to se n d me word if

i t be so th a t ye h a v e , or c an come b y the cloth
F r li
Wedn esday 1 7 th o f Jan uary 1 47 5
, , , .

of t i ssu e th a t I bo ugh t for our father s t omb ,

’
1 5 E IV . .

R CCC LXIV —(XXVI vol v p

LE T T E . . . . .

O H N PA S T O N wri t e s to his brother th a t h is ver ill a ken i ns om u c h th at some say th a t

[ J y t ,
’
en terin g so quickl y upon C a i ster h as been y e t en dered little my lord s dea th i n asmuch ,

1 In 1 4 7 5 , a co
mb o f a s sold for 1 1 d w ha v ot .
, e e N icol a s
’
s Wardrobe Exp en ses of E dw a rd IV .
’

th er f e ore t e e
h val u o f a h at in hi s ei gn [T h e p i t r . r ce P
h tt w ll o e
in 1 4 8 0 , v a i d f m a i td re ro to [ Th e e x tra
cl othi n g a ppears to h a ve b een n ot so
” 2
of a es o f .

e
ac h ; whil e
b on n ets ,{ in h sam n ry , a re t e ee t efli c ac ious as h e h a d a n t icip ated )
'

v iiid .
.

o e c H 3 2 8 th of O ctob er
set d wn a t i i s v id an d i li s
. . a h S ee S ir N . . . . .
 96 P AS T O N LET T E RS .

ye wo uld so soo n e n ter upon him a fter h is k in g en se aled be fore her s an ye m

’

as

an y m
ay

d ece ase witho ut a dvice an d a sse n t o f m

,
”
y l ord s
'

, e an po ssible We shall see th a t

.

c o un cil wh ere fore i t is tho ugh t here b y such a d v ice was su cce ss fully followe d T he .

’
as be y o ur frien ds in my lord s house th a t i f of the le tt er is a bo u t r a i s i n g of mo n ey

my la d y h1a ve on ce the gran t O f the wardship of

,

J ohn P a ston , who it a ppe ars was goi

t h e child, th a t sh e will occ upy C a i ster with to C ala i s as he re quests h is brother to
,

other lan ds, an d l ay th e de fault on yo ur un him exc used from keepi n g a h orse there b e
ki n d h astin ess O f en try without her as sen t ; c a use h ay was so de a r D ated Nor wich, .

w here fore i n a n y wi se ge t you a pa ten t oi the T uesda y, Jan 23, .

LE T T E R CCC L XV — (LX VIII vol . . . 11. p .

I h a v e given th e wh o l e of thi s l etter a s con v eyi n g to us som e i n form a ti o n rel ativ e to th e o rdi n a ry tran sa cti on s
o f th e tim es T h e a n ecd ote o f th e D uk e o f Y or k s m arryi n g An n e th e da ugh ter o f th e deceased D uk e o f
’
. ,

N orfolk dep en din g o n th e d uch ess (wh o a pp e ars to h a v e b een l e ft wi th child a t th e duke s decea se) n o t
'

h a vi n g a so n is I b eli ev e b oth n ew an d curi o us a n d sh ow s us th a t al li a n ces as w e ll in th os e day s a s at

, ,

presen t w ere estimated ac cor di n g to th e p osse ss i on s a n d p ecun ia ry a dvan tag es th ey brough t with th em
,
.

T o J ohn P a s ton , Es q .
,
at N or wich, be this delivered .

I R E C O MM E N D me t o y ou le tt in g y ou wee t
th a t I wa s i n formed by Ri c h ard Ra dle th a t
o n e S c a rlet t th a t was un der sheri ff t o Ha s
,
I sh all by the me an s of R a dle weet a t
whose suit it wa s ta ken O ut ; I deem it s ome
thi n g do n e b y cra ft b y the me an s o f them
-

, ,

tin gs,“a w ould sue to me o n yo ur beh al f, for th at h ave en tress e (in terest) in yo ur l an d to
t hat y e were di sple ased w ith a ret urn O f the i n t en t to n oi se it theirs or to m ake y ou ,
’
n ichil 3
u pon y ou in the sa id H a sti n gs time past sh a me o f the s ellin g thereo f ]
wherefore Rich ard R a dle though t th a t the I tem, I h a ve recei v ed a let ter from y ou
sa id S c a rl e tt wo uld be gl a d t o gi v e a n oble wri t en on T u esd a y l ast .

( 6 s 8 d ) or a ri al ( l Os ) for a sa ddle to a men d s

. .
.
,
Item , where th a t ( wherea s) s ome t ow ards
so th a t ye wo uld c e as e a n d s top the b i ll m y L a dy o f Nor folk n oi s e th at I did un ki n dly
w hich ye i n ten d t o p ut i n t o the co ur t a ga i n st t o sen d so h ast ily to C a ister a s I did there is ,

h i s m aster H as t in gs Where fore the sa id . n o di scree t perso n th a t s o thin ke th for if my

S c arle t t c a me t o me an d pra yed me to help ,
lord h a d been as kin d t o me a s he might h a ve
i n the sa me a n d so I h ave don e my devoir
,
been , a n d a ccordin g to su ch hea r t a n d service
t o feel of him the most h e c an fin d in h is as my gr a n d fa ther m y fa ther y o ursel f an d
, , ,

sto m a ch to dep a rt w i th t o ple as e y ou, a n d I h a ve o ught an d do n e to my L ords o f Nor

,

in c on cl usion I trow he sh all gi v e y ou a d ou folk th a t de a d been a n d y e t (even ) if I h a d

,

blet clo th of silk, price 20s or th ere a bou t ; . wedded h is d aughter y et m ust I h ave don e a s
which , upo n su ch an s wer a s I he a r from y ou ,
I did ; an d moreover i f I h a d h a d an y deem ,
’
I deem th a t Bi shop the a ttorn ey sh a ll if I ,
i n g O f my lord s de a th fo ur ho urs ere he died,
c on cl ude wi th him on yo ur beh al f p a y i n ,
I must n eeds b ut if (un less) I would be kn ow n
mon ey or otherw ise t o whom th at y e w ill a fool h a ve e n t ered it the ho ur be fore h is de ~

a ssig n here . cease ; b ut in e ffect they th at in th a t m a tt er

h ave al wa ys me an t un kin dl y t o me, t hey
1 duch ess h ad j ust b een d eliv ered O f a
[ T he feign th a t r umour a ga i n st me ; b ut there is n o n e
'

d a ughter th e L a dy An n e m en ti on ed in th e p rece di n g
, ,
th at mea n t tr ul y to him tha t dea d is th a t
J ohn H a stin gs wa s sh eri ff o f Nor fo lk th e p re
1 8 tt er
wo uld be sorr y th a t I h a d it, an d i n e spe c i a l
.

cedin g y ea r . such as love h is s o ul .

3 N ihil s or N ich il s a re i ssue s wh i ch th e sh er i ff

, ,
Item where (a s) it is deemed th at my l a dy
,
th a t is app osed in th e E xch equer sa ys a re n othi g n
wo uld here after be t he r a ther mi n e he avy (un
w o rth a n d ill e vi a bl e thro ugh th e in sutli cien c y o f th e
p arties from
_

wh o m d ue .
kin d ) la dy for th a t de ali n g, I thi n k th at sh e
98 P A S T O N LE T T E R S .

spoken in E n glish , meetly well in Fren ch , ple ase yo ur lordship t o acc ept him i n t o your
”
an d very perfec t in Fl emi sh ; he c an wri te service . H e a ls o me n tions h avin g procured
an d r ea d ; h is n a me is Ri c h ard S tr a tt on , his t wo o ther pers o n s for his lord ship s serv ice
’

mo ther is M i stre ss Gr ame of C al a i s ; an d b ut thes e seem to be in t en ded to s e rve in a

when I h ad showed him mi n e i n t en t he was , mili ta ry c a pa ci ty T h e lett er is dat ed Nor
.

agree able an d very gl a d if tha t i t migh t wich S at urd a y, Mar c h 2, 1 475

,

LET T E R C C C L XVII —(XXVIII vol v p

. . . . .

[S mJ O HN PA S T O N in
thi s le tt er an n o un ces Fi tz wal ter in righ t of h is wi fe, an d who was
t o h is brother or mo ther h is h a vi n g c ro ssed the killed at Ferrybridge in 1 4 60 M aster Fitz .

sea t o C al a i s, an d bei n g sa fe an d well a t w alter was himsel f summon ed to parlia men t

G uisn es .H e h a d gon e with the govern or of as L ord Fi tz w al t er in 1 4 8 5 , b ut j oin in g i n
C al a is, L ord H ast in gs an d in form s his
, th e rebellion of Perki n W a rbeck, he was ta ken
bro ther th a t a M ast er Fitz wal ter i n ten ded t o p ri son er, a n d c on fi n ed in C al a is ; he a tt emp ted
return t o E n gl an d in order t o se ttle a t A ttle to e sca pe from then c e but was re ta ken an d ,

borough , an d how ex tremely well dispo sed behea ded .T h e le tter is d ated T uesda y,
th e sa id Fit zw alter was t owa rd him T hi s . M arch 1 2, 1 47 5
F i tzwal ter was son of J ohn R atcl ifle, L ord
‘

LE r T E R C C C L XVIIL
'
—( XXIX . vol v p . . . 133

T HE first part of thi s le tt er, whi ch is from worth twopen ce, an d he sa i th he h ath pat ched
oh n Pas to n in Norwich t o h is mother, d a t ed
-
i t on ce or twi c e, wherefore the prior h ath sen t
T ue sda y , M arch , 1 4 7 5 6, i n form s h er th a t
-
to y ou at the leas t to sen d t hi ther a n ew clo th
T h e o ther subje ct — the in
” ”
m y l a dy, proba bly the D uchess of Nor folk, be fore E aster .

h a d bee n i n quiri n g whether sh e woul d be a bility t o pro cure tile s in a t o wn like Nor .

p resen t at her a c c ouc h emen t, a n d recommen ds wich —is a rem ark a ble in stan c e o f the w an t of
“

"
,

th at sh e should a c cede t o her wi shes as i t migh t progress in m an ufa c tures H e wri t es, M as ter .

be a dv an ta geo us In the l a tter part t wo c urio us

. S toley pra yeth y ou, for God s sake, a n d y e
s ubjec ts a re n o t iced H e say s H ere wa s will do n o alms of t ile, th a t he migh t borrow
m m
.

here wi th me yest erda y, a an from th e prior some of y ou til l he y b uy som e an d p ay

mm
a

of Bro h ol ,
to le t me h ave k n owledge o f y ou a ga i n ; for on e, the fai rest ch amber of
t h e ill speech which is in the c o un try n ow of the fryars stan de th half un c overed for defa ul t
,

of t ile for here is n on e to ge t for n o mo n ey

n ew t ha t the tomb
[of his fa ther] is n ot m a de, ,
.

an d a l so he sa ith th a t the c loth tha t lieth over D ated T uesday, M ar ch, 14 7 5

th e gra ve is al l t orn an d ro tt en , a d is n ot
p

LET 1 E
' ‘
R CC C LXIX —(L XIX vol 1 1 p
. . . . .

T hi s l etter furn i shes us with a curi ous an ecdote rel ativ e to E arl Ri vers wh o we m ay suppose h a d been o n a
, , ,

pilg rim ag e to R o m e ; for Caxton tells us th at h e was so m etim e full v ertuousl y occupi ed in goyn g o f
ilgrim h e li k ewise p rocured greet an d la rge in d ulga n ce an d grace from
,

our h oly fader th e p op e

,

ut i t i s plai n h e h ad n ot p rocure d a p ap al p ro tecti on from

ag is .

robbers
m
.

To M rs M a rg a ret P a st on , a t N orwich, or her s on J ohn P a ston , Es q , a nd to ea ch (f the

.
_
. .
 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .
99

where fore mother, I beseech y ou t o take n o

, I t em , the D uke of B urgun dy 4 h ath c on
displeas ure w ith me for my lon g ta rryi n g, u ered L orr a i n a n d Q ueen Margare t ” sh all
q ,

n ot n o w by likelihood h a ve i t
for I m ust do n on e otherwi se for (fea r o f) d is ; wherefore
pleasin g of m y lord . the Fren ch ki n g cherishe th her b ut easil y‘s
I was n othi n g gl a d of thi s journ ey if I (slig htly little) ; b ut after th is c on quest of
,

might goodl y h ave chosen ; n evertheless ,

L orra i n the duke t ook gre a t c o urage t o go
,

sa vi n g th a t ye h a ve c a use t o be di spleased upon the l an d of the S wi ss to con u er them

with me for the ma tt er of Koketts I amelse
q ,
b ut they h erded (confron ted ) him at a n un se t
right gla d for I hope tha t I amfar more in
,

, (un loohed f or) pla ce an d h a th distressed him , ,

fa vour with my lord th an I wa s t ofore . an d h a th sl a i n the mo st p art of h is v an w a rd
,
Item I sen d y ou, brother J oh n , a le tter . an d w on a ll h is ord n an ce an d artillery an d
, ,
herewith, which wa s brough t hi ther to C al a is moreover all stuff th a t he h a d in h is ho st
except m
,
en a n d horse
’
from the George a t P aul s Wharf ; I deem it th at fled n ot ; b ut ,

c ometh from my brother Wal ter . they rode th a t n ight t we n ty miles ; an d so

the ri c h sale ts, 7 helme ts gart ers n owch es 8
'

Item, if ye i n ten d hitherwards, i t were , ,

w ell don e th a t ye h ygth ed (hied ) y ou, for I gelt (g old ) an d a l l is go n e, w ith t en ts

p a vilions an d all an d so m
, ,
suppose th a t my lord will ta ke the view of all deem his
pride is ab ated ; m
, en ,

h is reti n u e here n ow be fore h is depart i n g ;

,
en t old him th a t they were

a n d I thi n k th a t he wo uld be bet t er con ten t froward c arle s b ut he would n ot believe it, an d
ye t m en sa y th a t he will t o the m
,

with your comin g n ow than an o ther t ime do a g a i n ; God

as ye thin k best an d as ye m speed them bo th

I te mS ir J ohn M yd d leton t ook lea ve of

ay
, . .

Item, where(a s ) Master Fit z w al ter m a de ,

me t o write to you to a d vi se y ou t o ta rry, the d uke to sport him, b ut he is set in prison

I remi t th at t o your di scretion a t Br ussel s

A s for t idin gs here we hea r fro mall th e

. .

I pra y y ou sen d me some word if ye t hi n k

likely th a t I m
,

world ; first the L ord Rivers w as a t Rome a y en ter C a ister w hen I will
, .
,
righ t well an d hon our ably, an d o ther lord s by the n ex t messen ger
a s the L ord Hurm
.

of E n glan d , on d e,
1
the Written a t C ala is in re ason able he al th of ,
L ord S cropefi an d a t t heir departi n g t welve ,
body a n d soul, I than k G od the 2 1 st d ay of ,

miles on this h al f Rome, the L ord Rivers was M arch, in the six teen th year of E dw ard IV
robbed of al l h is jewel s an d pl a te which was J O H N PA ST O N , kn ig ht
, .

worth 1 000 m arks 3 ( 6661 1 38 4 d ) or . . .

Cal ai s T hursda y
, ,

better, an d is re turn ed t o Rome for a remedy . 2 l st o f M a rch 1 4 75 1 6 E I V

, . . .

CCC L XX —( X XX vol v p
LE r'
rE R
'
. . . . .

[JO HN P A sron writes fromNorwich t o h is the sure ty of the m an or of C a ister T he

'

mother of h is brother S ir John h avin g sud , cloth o f gold presen ted t o the D u chess of
, ,
d en l y depar ted for L o n don to the ki n g “ for Nor folk by M arg aret Past on , i t a ppears h a d

1 Q uaere L ord O rm
, on d ? l e ft h is b a ggage to b e plun dere d by th e enemy .

2 J oh n L ord S croo p o f B ol to n . Within a short tim e after this h e besi eged Morat a
, ,
3 A llo wi n g for th e di fferen ce o f w eigh t an d value s m a ll town n ea r B ern wh en a b attle en sued in wh ich
o f m on e y betw een thi s an d th e p re sen t ti m
, ,

e h e l os t , h e was tota lly ro uted .

to th e am oun t o f n early 4 0 001 5 T hi s quee n h a d b een la tely delivere d fro m h er

4 D uri g th e precedi n g a ut um im
.

th e D uke o f pri son m en t in th e T ower to th e Fren ch kin g

crowns for h er ranso m
n n ,
,

Burg un dy h avin g s ubdued th e whole d uchy o f

, o n h is en gagi n g to p ay .

L o rrai n h e n o w a ttacke d th e S wi ss an d too k a 6 S

o i n L etter xv v o l i p 9 I h ave b ut easy
th at is little store of m
. . . . ,
, , , ,

town ca ll e d Gra uson j ust as a b o dy o f tr0 0 p s w ere stuff o f m on ey o n ey

”
, , .

arr ivi n g to i ts re li ef ; these h e w en t to m eet a s th e y 7 L igh t h ea d pi ec es

3 Em bossed or n a m en ts—cha in s—b uekles &c
-
.

cam e d o wn th e n arro w p as ses of th e m oun tain s ;

when h is arm
, .

y be in g sei zed with a p an ic fl ed an d

, , ,
1 00 P A ST O N L E TT E R S .

b ee n re turn ed ; an d S ir J oh n say s S ir pa r t of the le tter a ll ude s to some domesti c

Rober t W in g fiel d O ffered me y esterda y t wen t y m a tter, impl y i n g th a t the h o ste ss at Frit to n ”
,

m a rks ( 1 3 1 68 8d ) for it ; b ut I wot well ye

. . . wh o h a d bee n reb uki n g our ch yld yr for
“

” ” “
sh a ll h a ve more for i t, if ye will s ell it It .
“
pl a yin g w an to n , h ath go tt e n her such a
will be seen from a sub sequen t lett er th a t it thi n g to pl a y w ith t ha t our other ch yl d yr shall
,

was to be sold i n order t o p urch as e a cloth for h a ve lea v e to spor t them God sen d her j o y .

T h e lett er is da ted S un da y, Ma y or
’
her h usban d s t omb which we h a ve alrea dy
, of i t
.

seen h a d bee n m uc h n eglected T h e la tter

. J un e,

LE T T E R C CC L XXI —(XXXI vol v p . . . . . 141

IN thi s le tt er, d a te d Norwich, Ma y 6 , 1 47 6, m a de th at both sh e a n d I a wa i ted on hi

,
m
P as ton write s to h is brother S ir J oh n a g a in a n d my mi stre ss h is wi fe a t our o wn co sts , as ,

on t he old su bjec t o f m a rri a ge H e sa

. y s :
“
I I a lon e t o a w a it on him a t his co st for then h e ,

u n der sta n d th a t M i stre ss Fit z wa l ter b a th a sho uld be sure th a t I sho ul d n ot be fli tt in g a n

si ster, a m a id , t o m a rry ; I t ro w, a n ye en I h a d such a qua rrel (qua rry) t o keep me a t

t re a t ed him , sh e migh t c ome i n to Chri sti a n home ; an I h a ve his good will, i t is n o n e
me n s han ds I pra y yo u spe ak with M ast er
’
impo ss ible t o brin g a bo u t ”
H e h a d eviden tl y
Fit z w al ter of th a t m a tter ; a n d ye m
. .

a y t ell n ot see n the l a dy b ut he i s c on stan t t o h is

,

him th a t sin c e he will h a ve my service it , old ide a of ba rg a in ing h is m arri age ] .

were a s good, an such a barga i n migh t be

LET T E R CCC L XXII —(XXXII vol v p . . . . .

[ S IR J O HN PA S T O N wri t e s from L on don t o h is str a i ts H e le ts us i n to an approxim at io n of

.

mo ther or brother of his good succe ss in h a v in g the real val ue o f C a i ster with gre a t n a i v eté
'

a t le n gth proc ured a decree fo r the re sti tutio n for he sta te s th a t the ki n g wo uld h a ve
o f the m an or o f C a i ster which ,
n ow l a cke th bough t it b ut he was i n formed of the truth
, ,

n o thi n g b ut the privy s e al s, an d writi n g t o an d th a t it was n ot for a pri n ce an d o f the

,
”
M as ter C olv ill to a void H e says how
.
, grea t price th a t I wo uld sell i t at, for th a t I
ever th a t i t sh all co st m e gre a t mo n ey a n d
,
migh t n ot forbe a r [do w ithout] i t for [thoug h] ,

b ath c o st me much l abou r ; i t is so th a t the he sho uld h a ve pa id t wo thousan d m a rk s

k i n g m ust have a n hun dred m arks ( 6 6 1 l 3 a . .
( 1 3 3 3 1 68
. or more if he h a d h a d it
. .

a n d other co sts will dr a w for ty m a rks S ir J ohn seems t o h a ve been gre a tly exci t ed
26 1 1 3 H e a dd s th a t he sh al l by his success for he a ddresse s h is brot her
(“ . . 8
,
h a v e m uch p a in t o ge t so m u ch mon ey , as J oh n P asto n k n ight an d he d a te s h is letter
, ,

o n M o n d a y the 26 th o f M a
b u t hope s to a ccompli sh it w i th the assis ta n ce y, 1 4 7 6, M o n d a y
of h is un c le Willi am , the re so urce i n all bei n g in fa ct the 29th ]

LE T TE R C CC L XXIII — (XXXIII vol v p. . . . .

T a t s l e tt er c on t a i n s a very c urio us n otice of wi th ome l a dy S ir Joh n

s .

t e ba rg a in ing in m a rri a ge I t is from S ir

. s as impro v iden t

J ohn i n an swer t o on e from th a t ge n era l wooer m arks (3 3 3 1 .

J ohn P aston , who seems at le n gth t o h ave

1 02 P A ST O N LE T T E R S .

o
s un d sense an d in mo st ex c ellen t feelin g , of mill f il (ye o arrow -
A chzllw a
'
’
ill f él m
m e
)
'

zu

an d i s ali ke ho n o ur a ble t o her hea d an d her
hea rt, an d c redi ta ble t o her epistol a ry powers
T h eobj ec t of t his good c oun sel a n d m at ern a l
c are was her fo ur th son ; he t ook h is degree
at O x ford in 1 4 7 9, an d died soon afterw ards
were good for my c ousin Bern ey t o drin k for
. t o make him t o brouke ; an d if they sen d to
D a me E li za beth C al thorpe, there ye sh al l n ot
fa il of on e or both, sh e ha t h o ther w at er s t o
"
. m ake folks t o b rouke We do n ot k n o w .

’
T h e rest of her le tter rel a t e s t o the illn ess of ex a ctly t he mean i n g o f brouke in P er c y s
“

”
her c o us i n B ern eys an d here her good an d
,
Reliques the word brok is used in the sense
“

ri gh t feeli n gs a re a g a i n di spl a yed S h e sa y s, of e n j oy or pleas e b ut i t will n ot bea r th a t

mean in g I t may be from the Germ an bre
.
,

An d I pray you gif my whi t e wi n e, or an y .

of my w a ters, or an y o ther t hin g tha t I h a ve chen t o be si c k b ut mi n t wa ter can h a rdly be

th a t is i n your a wa rd m ay do h imc om for t

-
, .
,

, , an emeti c S h e spea k s very favo urabl y of

.

le t him h a ve i t, for I would be righ t sorry if the pla c e where sh e is sta yi n g : “ M e like th
a n y thin g sho uld come t o h im but good ; an d mi n e a bidin g a n d the c o un try here righ t well ,
for God s sake a dvi se him t o do m ake h is will a n d I t rus t when summer come th a n d fa ir
’

if it be n ot do n e an d t o do w ell t o m y cousi n
,
wea ther I sh all like it be tter for I amcherished ,
” ”
h is wi fe, a n d el se i t were pi t y S h e after
. here b ut t oo well T hi s i n t ere st i n g letter is
.

w ards remembers th at wat er of min t or w ater d a ted M on d a y, Jan a bo ut 1 47 6 or .

LE TT E R CCC LXXV —(XXXV vol v p

. . . . .

T HIS le tt er i s from D ame E li zabeth Brew s, a ble to him, an d thi s le tt er c o n ta i n s an urgen t

t e wi fe of S ir T hom as Brews of S ti n to n i n vi ta t ion t o come t o T opcroft an d meet som e

m
,

H al l in S all e an d of T opcroft t o J ohn Past on ,

, , of her i n fl ue n t ia l rel a t ion s sh e promi s i n g in ,

an d is chiefly i n tere sti n g as bein g the com th e ean time th a t sh e wil go as well an d
men cemen t of a n ew treaty for a wi fe that a t .
, as right fully an d as c on sc ien sl y (con scien
”
len gth proved succe ssfu l D a me Brew s seem s t ious ly) as I c an for bo th the p a r t ies I t is
fro m
. .

the first t o ha ve been dec idedly fa vo ur d ated Jan or Feb of ei ther 1 47 6 or 1 41 7 }

. .

LE rT E R
'
C CC L XXVI —(XXXVI vol v p
. . . . .

A N O T H E R le tter eviden tly quickl y followin g an d , if i t bot h good an d vir tuo us ; for
I '

sa
, y ,

t e precedin g from D a me E li za be th Brews to i f I sho uld take mon ey for h er I would n ot

’

John Paston S h e gives the followin g a o

. give her for a b ut c o usin I t rus t y ou , ,
co un t of th e progre ss sh e h as alrea dy m a de . so m uch th a t I wo uld t h in k her well be se t
,
1 ”
I sen t mi n e h usban d a bill o f the m a tter y ou a n sh e were wor th m uch more
“
on .

th a t ye k n ow of an d he wro t e an other bill t o

, Pa ren ta l fo n d n ess is here ve ry pleas in gly
me a ga i n t ouchi n g the sa me m a tter an d he ,
exhibi ted, but the sums men tio n ed o n e a ch
wo uld tha t ye sho uld go un t o m y mi stress s ide a re m uch sm a ller th an an y th a t J ohn
yo ur mother an d assay if ye migh t get the Pas ton h a d bee n ba rgainin g for previousl y,
an d we m
,

w hole i n t o yo ur h an ds an d then he
, ay there fore ho e t h a t b e properly
, p ,

wo uld be more gl a d t o m a rry wi th y ou, an d e st imat ed her goodn ess an d virt ue T he lett er .

will give y ou an l OOl ; a n d co usi n , th a t

.
, c on c lude s wi th a n o ther i n vita tio n t o T opcroft .

d ay th a t sh e is m arried my fa t her [S ir Gile s I t is dat ed in Jan or Feb abo ut 1 47 6 7 . .

-
.

D eben h a m ] will give her fi fty m ark s (3 3 1 63 . .

But an we a ccord I sh all give y ou a 1

[ E rron eously p ri n te d y a in Fen n ) .

grea t tre asure, th at is, a wi tty gen tlewom an ,

 P A S T O N LE T T E RS .
1 03

L E r rE R CCC LX XVII —(L XX vol ii p

' '
. . . . .

Th e politici a n s of th ese tim es , w e here see, l oo ke d upo n th e d e a th o f Ch a rl es th e B o ld , D uk e of Burgun dy ;

a s a n e v en t o f grea t imp orta n ce to a ll E uro pe He w as dism oun te d from h is horse , an d sl a in in a battl e
.

fo ught o n th e 5th o f J an uary, 1 47 6, be fore Nan cy, the ca pi ta l ci ty o f L orra in , b etwee n h is force s a n d th o s e
o f Rena te , D uk e of L orra i n .

To J ohn P a ston , E s q , a t N orwich, in ha ste.

.

I R EC O MM E N D me t o you ; le tt in g you wee t An n e Ha wte an d me ha th been soor (in a

sure m
that yesterday began the great coun cil t o ,
a n n er
) broke n bo th t o the c ardi n al 1
,
which all the estates of the l an d shall c ome t o my lord cha mberl a in 2 an d t o mysel f an d
I a mi n good h O p e ; when I hear an d kn ow
, ,

t o b ut if (un less) i t be for gre a t a n d re as on

,

a ble ex c use s ; an d I suppo se the chie f c ause more, I sh all sen d y ou word .

of thi s a ssembly is t o c omm un e wh at is be st I t seeme th th at the world is all quaverin g,

to do n ow upon the gre at ch a n ge by the
de ath of the D uke of B urgun d y an d for the
keepin g o f C ala is an d the M ar ches an d for
th e pre serva tion of t he a mities ta ken l a t ely
i t will reboil somewhere, so th a t I deem
, y oun g m en sh a ll be cherished, take yo ur
, he art t o you ; I fea r tha t I can n o t be ex
,
c used b ut th at I sh a ll for th with my L ord
,

as well wi th Fran c e as n ow with the member s H astin gs over the sea b ut I sh all sen d y ou ,

o f Flan d ers ; wheret o I do ub t n ot there sh all word in h aste, an d i f I go I hope n ot t o ta rry

be in all h aste both the D ukes of Cl ar e n ce lon g
I a mlike
.

an d Glo ucester, whereof I wo uld th a t my Item to my brother E dmun d

, .

brother E dmun d wi st to spe a k wi th M istress D ixon i n h aste , an d

some d eem
.

I tem I feel b ut lit tle e ffec t in the l a bour th a t there sh al l be c on descen ded
‘
'

tha t if E P (Ed m
,

of W Al yn gton n ever theless I deem it i s

. und P a ston ) c ome to
. ,
.

n o t for
you, sh e sh all n ot p ass 200 m arks as L o n don t h a t h is costs sh all be pa id for .

far as I can un derstan d a p art . I sh all h astily sen d you word of more
I tem, I will n ot forget y ou otherwise .
thin gs .

Item i t is so tha t this d ay I hear gre at

,
Wri tten a t L on don the 1 4 th d ay of Feb ,

likelihood th at my L ord H ast in g s sh all rua ry i n the 1 6th ye a r of E d ward IV , the

,
.

h a stily go to C al a is with great compan y ; if Frida y afore Fas tin gon g ( Fa sting g oing , i e -
.

I thin k i t be for y ou (f or your ad va n tage) t o L en t ) . J O HN PA ST O N , kn ight .

be on e I sh al l n ot forge t you
, .
L on don F rida y 1 4th of
Item, this d a y the m att er between Mrs
, ,

. February 1 4 7 6 1 6 E IV , . . .

LE T TER CCC LXXVIII — (L XXI vol 1 1 p . . . . .

T hi s is an oth er curi ous l etter from L a dy Bre ws . We h ere see that th e custom o f ch oosi ng val e n tin e s was a
“

spo rt p racti sed in th e h o uses o f th e gen try a t thi s t im e .

To m
yw orship
ful cousin , J ohn P a ston 3 be this bill d eli vered, &c .

C on S IN , I recommen d me un to you t h an kin g , such t ime as ye an d I were a t a poi n t But .

u he a rt ily for th e g rea t cheer ye m a de me ye h ave ma de her such (a n ) a dvoca t e for

y ou th a t I m
y o
an d all my folk s the l as t t ime th a t I was a t ,
a y n ever h a ve rest n ight n ot

m
Norwich ; an d y e promised me tha t ye would d a y for c alli n g an d c ryin g upon t o brin g the
n ever bre a k the a tter t o M rgery un to
a
4
sa id m a t t er to e ffec t & c , .

1 om a s Bourch ier Archb ish op o f Can terbury

Th , .
3 Joh n P as ton was th e n ext broth er to S ir John
2 Willi am Lor d H as t in gs T h o ugh thi s impo rt
, . P as to n k n ight a nd h is he i r in 1 4 7 9
, , He was high .

a n t b usin ess b et ween S i r J oh n P asto n an d M rs sh er i ff o f N orfo lk & c i n 1 4 8 5 create d a kn igh t

A n n e Hawte h as been so o ften m
. .
, , ,

e nti on ed it h as ban n e ret in 1 4 8 7 a n d die d in 1 5 0 3

4 M argery d a ugh ter o f S ir T h o m
, , .

n ev er bee n so cle arly stated as to be exactly ascer a s an d

tain e;1
,

Brews o f S tin ton H all i n S all e

, . .
1 04 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

A n d, cousi n pon Frida y is S a in t Valen

,
u which h ave ever in his mer c i ful keep
y ou
t in e s Day , an d every bird ch a seth him a
’

in g & c B y y our cousin

make (ma te) an d if i t like you t o come on
.
, ,

D A M E E LI Z A BE T H B R E W S ,
T hursd ay a t n igh t an d so p urvey y ou th a t O therwi se sh all be c alle d b y God s gra ce 1
m
'

mm
, .

ye ay a bide there t ill M on d ay I tr ust t o ,

God th a t ye sh all so S pe a k t o mi n e h usba n d ; 3 .

a n d I sh all pra y th a t we sh all bri n g the

m a tt er t o a c on cl us io n , & c .

F or cousi n i t is b ut a simpl e o ak Between th e sth an d 1 4 th

o f Fe b r ua ry 1 4 7 6 7
,
1 6 E IV
, ,

T h a t s cut do w n a t th e first stro k e

” -
’ , . . .

for ye will be reason able I tr ust t o G od, 1

[T hat is , n o t cous in , b ut cn ]
.

LE1 1
T E R CC C LXXIX -
.
(L XXII vol . . ii . p .

Som e p arts o f th e l etter seem i n ten de d for v erse as th e lin es th o ugh un equa l rhym e I h ave written th em
i n th e m o dern i s e d l ett er so tha t th e rhym es en d th e li n es th o ugh p erh a p s I a m
, , , .
,

, wron T h e l a dy a pp e ars
,
g
.

con sci ous th a t sh e h a s o p en e d h er h eart in th e l etter a n d with a becomin g m o desty co n j ures J P a ston
th at i t m
.
, .
”
b e s eyu o f n on erth el y creatur sa fe on ly himself
’
[T his is certa i n ly a n i n terest in g s p eci
men of the l o ve letters o f a yo un g l ady of th e fi fteen th cen tury an d goes far to j usti fy John P a stou s fi n a l
ay .

’
-

ch oice th ough fro m th e ten our O f h er l etter h e does n o t seem p erfectly s ati s fie d with h er fortun e an d to
h a v e been en deav ourin g to g et it in cre as e d ; th e l a dy i n dee d fe ars th at i t may b rea k O ff th e m a tc h ; a s fro m
, ,

th e n e xt letter appears to h a ve been n early th e case h er o wn se n tim en ts a re m uch m ore h on oura ble an d
disi n terested W e ha ve grea t doubts a s to th e i n ten ded v ers ificat ion b ut w e h a v e let i t stan d )
. , .

Un to m
y ig ht w ll b l
r e -
e o ve d va len t n e
,
i J ohn P a ston , E s q , be this bill d elivered , .
&c .

R I G HT reveren d a n d worshipful , an d my righ t And i f y e co mm an d m e to k eep m

e tr ue wh ere v er

I will de al l my m
w ell beloved V ale n t in e, I re c omme n d me
- 80 :
I w is igh t you to l o v e an d
un t o y ou, full hear t ily desiri n g t o he ar o f
.
n e v er n o m o .

y our w el fa re, which I beseech A lmigh ty God A n d if my f i en ds s ay th a t I d o ami ss

r ,

l on g for to prese rve un to h is pleasure an d T h e y sh a ll n o t m e l et so fo r to d o ,

’
your he ar t s des ire M i n e h ea rt m e bids everm ore to lo ve you
T ruly o v er a l l e arthly th in g
.
,

A n d if i t pleas e y ou t o hea r of my wel fa re A n d i f they h e n ev er so w rath

I am
, ,

n ot in good b eele (hea lth of body n or I trust it shal l b e better i n t im e comi n g

) .

o f he ar t, n or sh all be t ill I he ar from y ou ;

No more t o y ou a t this tim a b ut the H oly
F or th ere wotty s (knows) no creature wh at p a in T ri n it y h a ve y ou in keepi n g ; an d I beseech
th a t I en d ure
A n d fo r to be dead ( for
’
,

m
y lif ) e , I da re i t n ot
y ou th at this bill be n ot see n of n on e e a rt hly
c rea t ure sav e on ly yo ursel f & c
d yscur (d iscover) . , .

A n d this letter was e n d i t ed at T op c ro ft

,
And my l a dy my mo ther h ath l a boured wi th full heavy hea rt & c , .

th e m a tt er t o my fa ther full diligen tly b ut ,

B y y our own
sh e c a n n o m ore ge t th a n y e k n ow o f, for the
M A RG E RY B R E WS
which God kn owe th I a mfull s orry But i f
.

th a t y e love me, as I tr us t veril y th a t ye do ,

y e will n ot le ave me therefore ; for if th at ye

h ad n ot h al f the livelihood th a t y e ha ve for ,

t o do the great est la bour th a t an y wom an T o pcroft .

a live migh t I wo uld n ot forsa ke y ou . F ebr ua ry 1 47 6 7 -
16 E IV
, . .
, .
1 06 P A ST O N LE T T E R S .

wo uld th a t y e should l a bo ur the m a tter t o S ir, I promised y ou, I amyo ur

like
man an d my good will ye shal l have in
as

my ma ster, for i t sho uld be the better .

,

A n d I heard my l a dy sa y, word an d deed, & c .

A n d J e su h a ve you in hi s mer c i ful keep

T h at i t was a feebl e o ak
i n g, & c
,

T h a t wa s cut down at th e first strok e

B y your m
.
.

an ,
And ye be beh olden un t o my l a d y for her
T H O M A S K E LA
good word, for sh e h a th n ever pra is ed you
.

1
Febr ua ry , 1 47 6 7 -
.

too m uc h .
16 E . IV .

LE TT E
R C C C LXXXII (L XXV vol 1 1 p -

We fin d by this l etter th at J P aston was a s desirous o f h a vi n g all ob stacl es to th e m atch re m

. . . .

o v ed as th e
l ady could be an d n ow writes fromth e h ouse wh ere sh e was an d to which I supp o se h e we nt o n th e
.
,

receip t of her la st letter He tak es great p ain s to e xpla i n th e reason for th e m

, ,

eeti n g a t Norwich to ha v e
been fixed by h is des ire fea rin g his m oth er m
.

, igh t h a ve been displ ease d wi th an y a lterati on in th e or igi n al

i n [T o us i t ra th er appe a rs that n ot b e i n g a bl e to get a larger fortun e an d h avi n g been s o rep ea ted ly
Sgpp oin ted h e had m—ad e up h is m
.
, ,

, i n d to accep t o f this an d to trust to future e xp ectati o n s ; h opi n g

,

t h a t h is future fath er ih la w w o uld be ki n d to him th ough h e be h ard to m e as yet Wh at co uld in d”uce

-
“ ”
, .

S ir J Fen n to say th at h e was a s desiro us o f ha vi n g all o bstacl e s re m o ve d as th e l a dy co uld b e w e

can n ot con ceiv e His care for h is m
. .
,

oth er is h owever a redeemin g trai t i n h is character ]

To m orshipf ul m
. .
, ,

y rig ht w other, M a rga ret P a ston .

R I GH T wor ship ful mother, a fter all duties of mo ther in l aw if the m a tter ta ke ; n or ye t a - -

re c ommen da t ion , in as h umble wi se as I can kin der fath er in l aw th an I sh all have, though - -

I beseech you of your dai ly bless in g M other he be h ard t o me as yet

.
, .

please i t y ou t o wee t, th a t the ca us e that A l l the cir c um stan ces of the m att er, whi ch
D ame E l i z a be th B rews desire th t o mee t with I tr us t to t ell you a t your c omi n g to Norwi ch,
y ou a t Norwich, an d n ot a t Lan gley as I ap c ould n ot be wri tten in three leave s of pa per ,

p oin ted wi th you a t m y l ast bein g a t Mauteb y an d ye k n ow my lewd ( p oor) he a d well

en ough I m
,

is by my means ; for my bro ther T hom as ay n ot wri te lon g where fore I

Jermyn which kn owe th n ough t of th e m a t e fery over (def er) all thi n gs t i ll I m
, ,

ay a w a i t

m
,

( )
a tch , t elle th me th a t the C a us ey ere ye n y ou my self I h ll do t o n n en
(ca use to

c an c ome t o Boken h a m
o s a .

Ferry is so ov erflown be ta n n ed ) in to your plac e a do z en al e, an d

tha t there is n o m an th a t m a y on eth e If
[ i bre ad a cc ordin g a ga in s t Wedn e sd a y

] pass i t, though he be righ t well horsed ; S ymmight be forborn (spa red ) it were well
n .
,

ea se

which is n o meet way for y ou t o p ass over God don e tha t he were at Norwich on Wedn e sda y
’

defe n d (forbid) i t But all thin gs recko n ed

.
, in the morn in g a t m a rke t
,
D ame E li za beth .

i t sh all be le ss co st t o y ou t o be a t Norw ich , Brews sh all lie at J ohn Cook s ?i f i t migh t

’

as for a d ay or tweyn an d p ass n ot as e y ou, I wo uld be gl a d t h at sh e m igh t

[n ot ple
beyon d ] t h an t o mee t a t L an gley , where din e in your h o use o n T hursd ay for there
every thin g is de a r ; a n d your horse m
, ,

a y be sho uld y ou h a ve mo st se c re t ta l kin g .

sen t home a ga i n the sa me Wedn es da y A n d , mo ther, a t t he reveren c e of God

M o ther, I besee ch y ou for diverse causes beware th a t ye be so purveyed for th a t ye
'

th a t my sist er Ann e m a y come w ith y ou t o ta ke n o c old by the way t ow ards Norwich ,

N orwi c h ; mo ther the m a tter is in a re ason

, for i t is th e mo st perilous M arch th a t ever
’ ’
a ble good way , an d I trust wi th God s mercy , wa s seen by a n y m a n s d ay s th a t n ow live th ;
an d wi th your good help th a t i t shal l t a ke , an d I pr a y t o J esu pres erve y ou an d y ours .

e ffec t be tter t o min e a dvan ta ge th an I t old Wri tt en a t T opc ro ft the 8 th d ay o f Mar c h .

y ou of a t Mauteby for I trow there is n ot a

mYour son a n d humble servan t,
‘

kin der woman livin g th an I sh all h a ve t o y J O HN PA S T O N .

oft S atur d ay

8 th o f fi lm
T , ,

1 T h at is d eserv e dly prai

sed you ; fo r th ough sh e 1 47 6 7 1 7 E IV
h ath p r a i sed you m
-
. . .
, ,

2 J o hn Co o k was m
uch h er p ra i se is n ot ab o v e y our
m er i t.
,
ay or o f Nor wich in 1 4 8 4 .
 P A ST O N LE T T E RS .
1 07

LE T T E R CCC L XXXIII — (LXXVI vol 1 1 p . . . . .

T hi s letter I s upp o se accomp an i e d on e fro m

, ,
J P aston i n whi ch th e e xac t term s were speci fied to h is broth er
.
, ,

Sir J oh n S ir T hom as Brews see m e d to e xp ect tha t S ir J o h n P a ston wo uld likewi se d o som ethi n g for h is
broth er on this oc cas ion [S ir T ho m h ard d etermi n e d m
.
O
as see m s c erta i n ly t o b e a
a pp ears to h a v e wrun g at l eas t th e l o an o f a con si d erabl e sum fro m h im S ir T h o m as di ed in
. a n b ut Jo h n P a st o n ,

To m
y ight w
r f orship ul cousin , S ir John P a ston , K n ig ht, be this letter delivered , &c .

R I GH T worship ful an d my he ar t ily well b e

,
-
1 0 01 for the m a rri a ge o f a youn ger daughter
.

loved c ousin I recommen d me un t o you, O f mi n e I h ave n ow len t the sa id

, an d
,

desirin g to he a r of your wel fare, which I pra y 201 Over th at t o my c o usin your brother t o be
God m
.
, ,

a
y be as co n t i n ually good as I wo uld pa id a ga in b y such ea sy d ay s as the obliga tion
ha ve mi n e own ; an d , co usin , the c ause of which I sen d y ou herewith specifie s .

my wri tin g un to y ou, a t thi s t ime, is I feel -

A n d c o us in , I were right lo a th t o be sto w

,

eive well by my co i n J ohn Past on so m u ch upon on e d augh ter th a t the other her
(p erc
) us

yo ur brother t h at y e h ave un derstan din g of a

,
si sters sho uld fa re the worse ; where fore ,

matt er which i s in commun ic ation t ouchin g cous in , if ye w ill th a t this mat ter sha ll take
a m a rr iage , wi th God s gra ce to be c on cl uded
’
,
e ffec t un der such form as my co u s i n yo ur
be twix t my sa id co us in y our brother an d my brother ha th wri tte n un t o y ou I pra y y ou ,
d augh ter Margery which is far comm un ed
, .
p u t there t o yo ur good will an d some of yo u r ,

an d n ot ye t c o n cl uded n or n ei ther sh a ll n or cost as I h a ve don e o f min e more l a rgely

m
, ,

ay be t ill I h ave ans wer from y ou a ga i n th an ever I purpose t o do t o a n y two of her

O f yo ur good wil l an d as sen t to the sa id si st er s as God kn oweth mi n e i n t e n t whom I
'
'

, ,

m a tter ; an d al so of the obliga t ion which be seech t o se n d you your l ev est (d ea rest) '

tha t I sen d you herewith ; for c ousi n , I he art s de sire

'

.
,

wo uld be sorry to see ei ther my c ousin your Wri tt en a t T op cro ft the sth d ay of M ar ch , ,

By your co usi n
'

bro ther, or my daugh ter drive n to live so , &c . ,

mean a life as they should do , i f the six T H O M A S BR EWs, kn ight .

score po un d s sho uld be pa id (out) of their

m arriage mon ey ; a n d , co usin I ha ve taken T op cro ft ,

S atur day 8 th o f M rch

,
a
mysel f so n ea r in levy ing 1 of this sa id six ' 1 47 6
,

. 17 E . IV
,

score poun ds, t ha t whereas I h a d l a id up an

‘

LETTER C CC L XXXIV —(XXXVII vol v p .

. . . .

b re t hi g I hold t h a t i t p asseth n ot here

IR J O H N PA S T O N here w ri tes from C l i t o
m m
n
[ S
m
a a s a

m ]
he let ter ar s I
h is bro ther J ohn about h is marri a ge wi th t he n u b er is t or n f ro t ,

M a rgery Brews, with which m a tch he see aw her f o r y o u r sa ke ; sh e i s a li t tle on e sh e

m
s
‘

s ,

be wom here f t er i f sh e be n ot O ld
Bykerto t elle t me
m
well co n te n t sayin g
,
n,
h ay a a n a

w her per so e e t h t hir t ee n ye a r s of a ge,

sh e love th you well ; i f I d ied, I h a d lever
n s e
th a t:
m
n o ;
sh e
ye h a d her than th e L a dy Wargra ve [ W a ld e her ye a r s en sa y be f u ll eigh t ee n ;

k oweth t f t he m tt er I suppo se n ever

g ra ve] , n evertheless sh e s i n ge th well wi th an n n o o a ,

t h l h de ired t o s e e me as gl a d as I was
T h e La dy W a rgrave a ppe r to
a s e e ss s e s ,

h a ve been an o ther sought for matc h of th e to- se e her T h e le tt er i s d a ted S un d a y, .

in de fat iga ble J ohn P as ton s an d even ye t an

’
M arch 9 1 4 7 6
, ,

1 F en n h a s leavin i n m
other is all uded to somewh a t humorousl y i n ista k e which h e tran s l a tes
g
this same le tt er S ir J oh n Paston sa ys as for
,

. p arti n g wi th L ear/ing is use d in th e sen se of

, ‘ ’
.

thi s m atter of Mi stress B urley I h old i t but a raising .

1 08 P AS T O N LE T T E RS .

LE T T E R
C CC L XXXV —(XXXVIII
. vol v p . . . .

[JO H N PA S T O N writ es from Norwich to h is

’
S ir JO h n s old re ta i n ers i s a t C ai ster in gre ,
brother S ir J ohn a t C ala i s a bout his n ego , d i st re ss b ut h e a dds in c on cl us ion th
,

c ia tion for h is m arri a ge with M a rgery Brew s c arpen t ers of my cr aft th a t I use
I amyet a t n o cer ta in ty
, ,

as to which he sa y s, ,

h er fa ther i s so h a rd ; b ut I tro w I h a ve th e
good will of my l a dy h er mother an d her
-

he the n proceeds t o w a rn him o f trus tin g J do ub t if there wa s m uch fear of J ohn

Bykerton too far, as he is a m
.

an a t wil d , lo si n g h is wi ts thro ugh love T h e 1 .

a n d i s sore e n d an gered (in d ebt) t o divers i n d ated on th e same d ay as the l ast, S un day,
this c oun try an d th at Perse M oody, on e of Ma r c h 9 l 4 7 6
,
'

N U M BE R
C CC L XXXVI —(XXXIX vol v p
. . . . .

[ T H I S p a per i s he a ded “
A de t ermi n a t io n o f Joh n P as t on 1 201 to pledge out the m an or
.

"
S ir T hom a s Brew s how m uc h he wo uld give O fS wain sth orp , provided he proc ure s se c uri ty
with h is d augh ter M argery in m arria ge ”
It . for i ts repaymen t , n ot pa id of the m a rri a ge
c o n t a i n s s evera l modific a tion s O f term s : first , mon ey, n or o f the proper goods o f my sa id
i f the dowry out of the m an or of S parh a m c ous in J ohn ; thirdly, if the whole of th e
profits of S parh am are settled on t hem for th eir
'

does n ot exceed ten m ark s, th a t then he will

give 1 3 3 1 63 8d in h an d an d bo ard free for
. . . j oi n t lives, he will give the sa id four h un dred
t wo or three y ear s ; or el se 20 01 wi tho ut their . m arks, a n d their bo a rd for a ye ar or t wo ; b ut
bo ard, ya bl e by fi fty m ark s (3 3 1 6 3 8d ) . . . this las t c l ause a bo ut their board is struck
ye arly ; secon dl y th at he will give four , through wi th a p en T h e p aper is d ated .

h un dred m a rks (26 61 1 38 5 01 on th e

. . . M ar ch,
d ay of m arri age, an d 5 01 yea rly, an d len d .

CC C LXXXVI I —( LXXVII v ol v p
L ET T E R . . . .

Un der th e di recti on o f thi s l etter an d in a h an d o f th e tim e ( I b el iev e i n S ir J ohn P a ston s h an d) is wri tte n Jo n
’
'

P ym
.

vj di e Mar A 1 6th d ay o f M arch 1 7 E b e i n g th e d ate wh e n t h e letter wa s

” ’
0 E 4 17
(
received I h ave given this l etter m
p e x , . .
, .

erely as a s p ecim en o f th e h um our of th e tim e which th ough

i n delicate m ay I fear b e m
. , ,

, atc h ed by m a n y a m o d ern co rres pon d en ce S o m e am o ur seem s to b e co uch ed .

un de r th e s imil e o f th e sp arro w th e b arl ey an d th e d oor 850 T h e latter p art o f thi s epi stl e sh o w s us
wh at w ere th e qua lities o f a h ors e at th at tim e m o st esteem ed T h e w riter was a p erson o f s om
, , . .

e con .

s idera ti o n a s h e was to h av e h ad S ir J P aston s lo dgin gs in L on d on a n d was co us in to S ir J S co t d ep uty

'
. .
, , ,

go v ern or o f Cala is .

To M a ster S ir John P a ston , be this letter delivered in Ca la is .

H O N O U R an d j oy be t o y ou, my righ t good [ H ere follow s ome all us ion s t o the women
m aster a n d mo st assured brother ; lettin g y ou of Flan ders, which, though poss essi n g omes
,

kn ow th at al l your well willers a n d s erv a n ts h um r, is of t oo co arse a n a ture t o be given

e
-

i n the s e p a rt s th a t I kn ow , fa re well, a n d
,
here .

b e tt er would if they might hea r O f your well B i

ut thin g we pra i se your sadn esse s
n on e

being a n d forthwith some of you r Fren c h

, (w isd om s
) an d d iscretions righ t m uch, th a t is,
a n d B urgun d y tidi n gs ; for we in the se pa rt s in keepi n g o f you r tru ce a n d pe a ce wi th the
be in gre a t drea d lest th e Fren ch ki n g with kin g of Fr an ce as the ki n g h a th comm an ded ;
s ome assaul ts sho uld in an y wi s e di st ur b y ou an d a gre a t re ason why for it were t oo m uch ,

o f y our so ft s ot e (sweet ), an d sure sleeps, b ut

,
for y ou to h a ve war with all t he world at
as yet we n o t hi n g c an he a r t h a t he so d is on c e, for th e war afore sa id keepeth y ou bl ame

p o seth him . less, for every reason able m an weeteth well ,

1 10 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

LE T T E R C CC LXXX IX —(XL I vol v p . . . . .

AN O T H E R le tter from J oh n P ym p e to S ir I h ave sen t y ou T here is n o thi n g els e but

’

’
'

oh n Pas to n a b out his horse T h e wri ter . a ren ewal o f the re quest for S ir J ohn s
begin s by sayi n g, I have wri tt e n to y ou assi sta n ce in proc uri n g a horse, an d a repe
”
three lon g le tters, whi c h as ye t be an swerless ; t ition of wh at he cons iders a good horse
an d shortly a fter says,
“
this is the fi fth le tter ough t t o be D at ed March,
.

LE T T E R CC CXC —(X LII vol v p . . . . .

[S mJ H PA S T O N in thi s le tter writ es rather

O N for C a i ster i t were n o con ven ien t l an d t o
a stern a ns wer t o the exorbi ta n t dem an d s of exch an ge for such a t hi n g ; n or i t were n ot
h is brother J ohn for h is own a dv an ta geous poli cy for me t o set th at m an or in such c as e
s e ttleme n t H e sa y s
.
“
Ye have n ow wri tten
,
for all man n er of h a ps I n eed n ot t o ma ke
.

ag ai n You n eed n ot t o pra y me to do th a t

. thi s excuse to y ou, but th a t your min d is
migh t b e t o your profi t an d worship th a t I tro ubled ; I pr a y y ou rej oi c e n ot yoursel f
migh t do, O ften er th an on ce, or t o let me too muc h in h opet o ob ta in a th in g th at all your
wee t thereof for t o my power I woul d do for
,
frien ds m ay n ot e ase y ou of, for i f my mo ther

o u a n d take as m u ch p a i n for yo ur we al , were disposed t o give me an d an y wom an

y ,
an d remember i t whe n per c as e ye sho ul d in E n gl an d the be st m an or sh e b ath t o h ave
n ot t hi n k on i t yoursel f I woul d be as . it t o me an d my wife an d t o the heirs of our
,

gl a d th a t on e g ave y ou a m an or of 201 by . two bodies bego tten I would n ot take i t of

,

the ye ar as if he ga ve i t t o mysel f, by my her, by God S ta bli sh yo urself upo n a good

I t em , where (a s) ye thin k th at I m
.

tro th . ay groun d, a n d gra ce sh all follow ; yo ur m a tter

wi th c on sc ien ce recompe ns e i t a ga i n un t o our is far spoken of an d blown wide, an d i f i t
,

sto c k of o ther l an d s th a t I h a ve O f th a t v a l u e prove n o be tter I wo ul d i t h a d n ever been

in fee s imple, i t i s so tha t S n a ilwell by my spoken of Also th a t m a tter n oiseth me, tha t
I amso un kin d th a t I le t (hinder) al toge ther
.

’
r d her s will on c e, a n d by my fa ther s
’

g a n fa t .

will se c on d ly, is en ta iled t o the i ssue o f my I thi n k n ot a m a tter h appy, n or well han d led,
father s body I tem , a s for S porle 201 by n or poli ticly deal t w ith, when i t can n ever
’
. .

y ea r ; I h a d thereof but twen t y m arks be fi n ished wi thout a n in c on ven ien ce, an d t o

( 1 3 1 6s
. b y ye ar, which twen ty m ark s
. a n y such b arga in I hope n ever t o be con

by y ea r a n d the ten m ark s (6 1 1 3 s 4d )

,
. . . desc e n din g n or of c oun sel ; if I were at the
over, I h ave en dan gered a s ye well k n ow ,
begin n in g of such a m a tt er, I wo uld h ave
o f th a t b a rg a i n ; which , if i t be n ot redeemed hope d t o ha ve m a de a be tt er c on clusion , if
I mus t re c ompen se some o ther m an or O f min e they mo c k y ou n ot T his m atter is driven
.

t o on e Of my brethren for the sa id ten m a rks ,

th us far fort h wi thout my counsel ; I pra y
an d t wen t y m a rk s th at lon ge th t o me, where y ou m ake an en d wi thout my c o un s el : if i t
fore I keep the m an or of R un ha m ; the n be well I~Would be gl a d, if i t be otherw ise i t
ha ve I fee simple l an d the m an or of Win t er , is pi ty . I pra y y o u tro uble me n o more
”
t on with B ast wick an d Billy s, which in all i n t hi s m a tt er T here is n o d at e t o the
.

i s n ot t wen ty m arks by year which is n ot t o , le tter, b ut i t clearly b el on gs t o this period ]

.

the v a l ue O f the m an or of S p arh am A n d as .

 P AS T O N L E T T E R S .
11 1

LE T T E R CCCXCI vol 1 1 p
. . . .

"

I ha ve h ere given a l ett er written to S ir John P aston in rhym e a s a sp ecimen o f th e p oetry o f th e age By
, .

th e writer s in qui ry concern in g a h orse an d h is referri n g back to h is fo rm er letters thi s app ears to hav e
b een written i n the l atter en d o f M arch or ;ia Ap ril 1 47 7 1 7 E IV [P ym
’
, ,

p e s h orse like J o hn P astou s

’ ’

h awk see ms to have becom e a p assi o n—rhym e a n d reas on an d six letters in q uick s uccess i on to on e wh o
. .
, , , ,

, ,
,

ill e ith er h e r e d ”
seem s a great d ea l to b e wa ste d for s uch a n obj ect T h ere
'

w n a n or see
,
n o r s a
,y n or s n , , .

i s b ut littl e in th e p o etry b ut th e sta n z a is curio usly constructed a n d th ere i s con siderabl e eas in ess in th e
, ,
.

v ersi fica tion a n d flo w o f th ought ] .

To M a ster S ir John P a st on , Kn ig ht, be this letter delivered at Ca la is .

’
FR E S H morous sigh ts of c o un trie s far an d
a A nd God kn ow th well i t c an n o t lon g lie
stran ge there
Ha ve all fordon e yo ur O ld a ffection ; But it will brin g me t o the church bier 2 .

In ple asures n ew, yo ur he ar t do th scour an d

T a ke i t a w a y therefore I pray you fa ir,
ran ge For h a rdily my hear t beareth he a vy en o ugh ;
,

S o high an d fa r tha t like as the fal co n

,

Which is aloft, telleth (q ta keth) scorn t o .

For there is s orro w, a t rest as in his ch a ir,
Fixed so fas t wi t h h is prick s ( przckles) rough,
'

look a down
T h a t in good fa i t h I wot n ot when I love 3
O n him th a t won t was her feathers to pick
.

:
For 1 1 a5 ter Pas ton the thin g whereon my
an d imp
,

13 18 8
Right so forgotten ye h ave your poor P ymp ;
Was wholly set ,
is al l fordon e, I wis .

T h at wri teth, sen de th, an d wish eth all d ay By yo ur

your weal J O H N P YM P E
M ore th an his own ; but ye n or he a r n or see,
.

Nor say, n or sen d, an d ever I wri te an d se al T hi s bein g the six t h le tter t h at I have sen t
In pro se an d rh y me, as well a s it will be ; y ou
S ome evil t on gue I trow m
.

is sa i th O f me -

Alw ay s pra yi n g y ou t o remember the -

A nd else your fas t an d fa ithful frie n dlin e ss hor se th at I h a ve in every le tter wri tten for ;
Ye thi n k m is spen t on such as I I g uess
-
,
.
as th us, t h a t i t wo uld ple as e y ou t o un der

I will abat e my cust om able con course, sta n d who h a th t he gen tle st horse in tro tti n g

T o yo u so cos tuo us
1
whens oever ye come an d st eeri n g t h a t is in C al a i s a n d if he be t o ,
,

a ga in , sell t o sen d me word of h is pri c e, la rgen ess,

W hich th at I feel of reason b y the c ourse an d c olo ur .

,

O f my pro ffered service, h a th m a de y ou so I t is t old me th a t the m aster por ter h ath a

For veril y the w a ter O f the foun ta i n ,
With bre a d on l y, forthwith your presen ce
cour a geous roan ed horse, an d th a t h e wo uld
p ut him a wa y be c ause he is d an gerous in
,
compan y 4 an d of th at I for c e (ca re) n ot so
, ,
-

M e sho uld c on ten t m uch more th an yo ur th a t he h e n ot c h urlish a t a spur, as plun g

expen se .
in g a n d al so I set n ot by him b ut i f (un less)
he tro t somewh a t high an d gen t eelly No
But ay e deem I thus th a t for tun e h ath hired
.

more, b ut God keep y ou .

ou
For sh e but l ate of sorrows more th an m an y L atter en d of M arch or Ap r il , ,

1 4 77 , 1 7 E IV .
Hath ra ked un to my heart an hea p more than .

a mow ,

A n d woul d th a t ye should l ay thereon on 3

[ T h e ori gin al is th e corresp on din g
lowh an d

m
,

8
rhym es o f thi s stan za a re yn ow an d ro w “

L o wh ca nnot certa l y b e lov e which m a k e s th e

Your hea vy un kin dn ess to m ake i t fast t o li e, lin e n on sen se for th e p oet goes on to describe how
,

,
h e l o ves M aster P aston
“
i t is proba bly low as a
I ens iv e
E xp . c ow use d h ere for s igh a ll ow a bl e en ough to a p o et
, ,

[ Fen n l ik e o ther an n ota tors of h is d ay un der in w a n t of a rhym e a n d would th en m ean th at h is

‘
2
, , ,

t ak es to m en d th e m etre o f h i s or igi n a l an d re a ds sorro w m a k e s him s igh so co n tin ual ly th at h e b e

Certainly without an y im
,

un to th e ch urch bi er
”
co m es un conscious of it ]
pro vem
. .

ent ] .
4
[ S ee Letter ccclxviii ] .
1 12 P AS TO N L ETTE R S .

LE T T E R CCCX CII .
-
(L XXVIII vol . . 11. p .

In this letter Sir J ohn P asto n sh o ws himsel f a kin d a n d gen erous b rother in p ermitti n g h i s m other to give ,

m an or o f S to be e n ta il e d o n him n d h is i ss ue to h i s yo un ger broth er ; a n d th o

a ,

h e en ta il to b e defea ted as the will o f th e d ea d by this m ean s ,

deed S ir J o h n appears throughout a s m uch th e

s i n terested ma n o f th e t w o S till h e will giv e n othi n g b ut h i s goo d wi sh e s an d h is rever sion
.
,

ary in terest in the m an or o f S p arh a m fo r hi s o wn li fe o n ly ] .

To m
y igh r t worshipf ul mh ot er
,
M a rga ret P a ston .

P LEA S E i t you t o wee t th a t I ha ve received come an d sho uld al so n ever c a use deba te in
our blood (con ten tion in our f am
.
,

your le tter wherein i s remembered the gre a t

,
ily) in t ime
h urt th a t by likelihood might fa l l t o my t o come which God de fen d (f orbid ) for tha t
, ,

bro ther, i f so be th a t thi s m a tter betwee n were un n a tural .

’
him a n d S ir T hom as Brews s daugh ter ta ke I tem a n other i n co n ven ien ce is whereas I
un dersta n d th a t the m a n or is give n t o m
, ,

n ot e ffec t ; whereo f I wo uld be as sorr y as _ y

him sel f re as on ably ; a n d al so the we althy bro ther, an d t o his wi fe a n d to th e issue
bet ween the mbegott e n , if the case were so
,

an d co n v e n ien t m arri a ge th a t sho uld be if i t

t ake e ffect ; whereof I would be a s gl a d as tha t he an d sh e h a d i ssue to gether a daugh ter
an y m an ; an d a mbetter c o n te n t n o w th a t or more an d h is wife died an d he m a rried
, ,

he sho uld ha ve her, th an an y other th a t ever a fter an o ther an d h ad i ssue a son , t ha t son
1
h e was heretofore abo ut t o h a ve h a d C on . sho uld h a ve n o n e l an d an d he bei n g a lthoug h
( ,

s id ered her per son , her yo uth , an d the st ock he be) h is fa ther s heir ; an d for the in c on
’

th a t sh e is come of the love on bo th side s, , , v en ien ce th a t I h a ve kn own la t e i n ure ta ke

the te n der fa vour sh e i s in w ith her fa ther p la ce] i n c ase like a n d y e t en d uret ,
in
the ki n dn e ss of her fa ther a n d
'

a n d mo ther ,
K en t betwee n a ge n tlem an a n d h is s ister I ,

mother to her in depa rtin g [ p a rting ] with wo uld ye to ok the a dvice of y our co un sel in
her, the fa vour a l so an d good con cei t th a t this poi n t ; an d th a t th a t is pa st y ou by
they h a ve i n my brother t he worshipful an d , writin g or by promise, I deem verily i n you ,

v irt uo us di spo sition o f her fa ther an d mother, th a t ye did it of ki n d n e ss; an d in eschewing

w h ich p rogn osticateth th a t of likelihood the
“

of a more (a g rea ter) ill th a t migh t be fa ll .

m a id sho uld be virt uous an d good ; all which Item, where as i t please th y ou th a t I sho uld
c on s idered , an d the n ecessa ry relie f th a t my rat i fy, gran t, an d con firm the sa id gi ft un to
brother m ust ha ve I m ar v el the less th a t ye my brother i t i s so tha t w ith m in e ho n esty
Im
, ,

h a ve departed an d given him the m an or o f a

y n ot a n d for other c ause s
, .

T h e pope will suffer a thi n g t o be use d,

'

S parh a m in such form a s I h a ve k n owledge

o f by W G urn ey, L om n er an d S kipwith ; b ut he will n ot li c e n se n or gr an t i t t o be us ed
a n d I am
. ,

righ t gl a d t o see in you such k i n d n or don e ; an d so I .

n e ss un t o my brother a s ye h a ve do n e to him , M y brother J oh n k n oweth mi n e i n ten t

an d wo uld by my t ro th lever (ra ther) th an well en o u gh heretofore in thi s m a tter ; I will
an l OOl th a t i t were fee s imple l an d as it i s
.
-

, be fo un d to him as kin d a brother as I m ay

i n tail ed which by likelihood sho uld prosper

,
be .

with him a n d h is blood the be tt er in time t o I t em , if i t be so th a t S ir T hom as Brews

an d his wi fe thi n k th a t I would tro uble my
i
[ In F en n s tra ns l ati on this p as sa g e sta n d s t h us
’

th an a n y other that ever h e was h eretofore about

,
bro ther an d h is wi fe in the sa id m a n or I can ,

to h ave h a d con s idere d Her p ers o n &c T hi s .

, . fin d n o me ans to p ut them in surety thereo f,
c nn ot be un dersto o d th e verb con sid ered sta n din g
a ,
b ut, i f i t n eed, to be boun d in an obliga t ion
wh o lly un con n ecte d T h e original h a s n ei ther p o i n ts
.

with a con dition th a t I sh all n ot trouble n or

n or ca pi tal l etters ; w e h av e th erefore
v en t ure d o n a

s ligh t a l tera ti o n which at l east g ves a m e a n i n g to th e

.
i in fet ( inf est ) them therei n .

”
s en ten ce . C o n s idere d h er p erso
”
n & c is h er ,
.
, I t em , I t hi n k th at sh e is made sure en ough
p erso n be i n g co nsidere d & c ) ,
.
114 P A ST O N LE T T E R S .

LET R C CCXCV —(V Appen dix t o vol ii p

T E . . . . .

”
[T h i s l etter a s far a s xxyj d ay of Aurili is wr itten by th e secreta ry o f th e L ord H asti n gs fro m th en ce to th e
, , ,

en d by th at n obl e m a n h i m self in a h an d alm ost ille gibl e

, J oh n P aston a ppears h ere to ha v e b een i n th e.

service o f an d so h i ghly resp ecte d by th e L or d H a sti n gs a s to b e sen t a s a ki n d o f deputy go vern or o f th e

, , ,

cas tle of Guisn es nd uri n g th e illness o f h is broth er S ir Ralph Hastings [W e h av e plac e d i t a ccordin g to
, .

Fen n s chron o l o g i ca l order a lthough w e h a ve n o do ubt tha t John P as ton wa s n ot at Guisn es a t this p e i o d
’
, r .

But as th e ori gi n al h as n o d ate o f th e yea r i t i s m uch e as i er to discover th a t i t is w ron gly pl ace d h ere th a n
to decide where i t w o uld be prop erly pl aced We a re i n cli n e d to thi n k h o w ever it m
,

ay b e g uesse d t o
b elon g to th at earli er p eri o d wh en LS i r J o hn was e xerti n g hi m
.
, ,

se lf to get J o h n P a sto n reta i n e d by L or d H a st

i ngs b e havi n g p robably succee ded though it is n o t m en ti on ed ]
m
.
,

To y ig ht t u r r sty a n d well beloved -

serva n t
,
J ohn P a ston , E s q .

J O HN PA S T O N , I recomme n d me un t o y ou . Where fore I w ill an d desire you, the assen t of

A n d where as I appoin ted an d de sired y ou t o my sa id brother h ad t o dispose yo u t o come ,

go over un t o G uisn es t o give your atten da n ce over in all goodl y h as te , as well for such grea t
an d assi sta n c e upo n my brother, S ir Ralph m a tter s as I feel by yo ur frien ds ye ha ve to
Has tin gs, in all such thin gs as c o n cern the do here as t o give yo ur a tt en dan c e upon me
, .

surety an d de fe n c e O f the c astle o f G uisn es A n d (a t ) yo ur ret urn you sh all be t o me

duri n g h is in firm ities ; i t i s showed un t o me wel c ome From Lon don , the 26th d ay of
.

th at ye h ave full tr uly an d dil igen tly a c qui tt ed April .

y ou un to my sa id brother , in all h is b us in esse s I pra y you in n owise t o dep a rt as yet

’
,

s in ce yo ur comi n g thither Whereof I th an k witho ut my bro ther Roaf s (R a lp h s) assen t ’

an d a gree m en t ; an d recommen d me to m
.

y ou hea rt ily A n d as I c on ceive t o my gre a t

.
y
c om for t an d gla dn ess my sa id bro ther is well s i s ter al l my n ieces, t o the co n sta ble a n d t o
, ,
re c overed an d amen ded th an ked be God a ll reeve s Yo ur true frie n d
A n d so I tr u st he m
.
, .
,
1
a y n o w sp are y ou Where H A S T IN G S
upo n I h a v e writt en un t o him , i f he m
. .

ay so Lo n don 2sth o f Ap r il 1 4 7
. ,

E IV
do , to li c en c e you to c ome over un t o me a g a i n .
. .

L ET T E R C C CX CVI — (L XXX vol 1 1 p . . . . .

J o h astou s m on ey a ffairs occupy th e rin c ipal p a rt o f thi s l etter Mo n ey i n dee d seem s to h a v e been
'

[ n P . , ,

l oo ke d a fter p retty sh ar p ly wh en th e 1 5 d ue o n th e 2 l st h a s b een th e s ubj ect of a n eg oc iation on or before

,

th e 23rd an d a re ason able respite gran te d m ean in g we suppo se for a

, , , ,

T o J ohn P a s ton , Es q .

I R E C O MM E N D m e to y ou le t ti n g y ou wee t ,
t o, an d then he looke th after th a t ye sho uld
th a t I h a ve spoke with H arry Cole t a n d
n
2
,
c ome see him, for he is sheri ff, an d h ath a
en tre ated him i n my best w ise for y ou, so goodly h ouse .

th a t a t t he l ast he is a greed t o a re a son a ble I tem, my La dy o f O xford 3 looketh after

re spi t e for the 1 5 l t h a t ye sho uld h ave pa id
.
y ou an d Arbl a ster bo th .

him at M ids ummer as he sa ith , an d (he) is My L O 4

ord o f x ord is n ot c ome in t o
f
gl a d t o do y ou eas e or pleasure in al l th a t he E n gl an d tha t I can perceive, an d so the good
may ; an d I t old him that y e would as I ,
l a dy h ath n eed o f help an d counsel how th at
suppo sed, be here at L o n do n here n ot lon g sh e sh al l do .

1 Willi am H a st in g s Lor d H a sti n gs was sum

, ,
2 '

S ir Henry C ol et was l ord myora of Lo n don in

m oued to P arli am e n t i n 1 4 6 1 1 E IV He was , . . 1 486 .

L i euten a n t of C a la i s a n d e n j o ye d se vera l high o ffice s Mar garet daugh ter of Rich ard N evile E arl o f
S a li sb ury ; sh e was dur i ng th e impri son m
3 ,
, ,

o f trust a n d co n fid en ce in th e re ig n o f E dwa r d IV
. . en t of her ,

He m arried C a th eri n e da ughter o f Rich ar d N e vile

, , lord in great di stress
, .

E a r l o f S a li sb ury a n d w a s b eh ea de d i n th e T o wer 4 J oh n d e V ere E arl o f O xfor d was a t thi s tim e a

pr i son er i n th e ca stle of H amm

, , , ,

by th e i n stan t o rder o f Richa rd D uk e o f Gl ouce ster , es .

on th e 1 3 th o f J un e 1 4 8 3
,
.
 P A ST O N LE T T E RS . 1 15

No more at this t ime, but God ha ve y ou i n I tem, m y L ord Chamberl a in is come

hither from C ala i s an d ri dden with the
'

keepin g . ,

Written at L on don on S a i n t Au drey s

'
’
kin g t o Win dsor an d the ki n g w ill be here
,

d ay, in the 1 7 th year o f E d a ga in on M on d a y

]
’

[E theld reda s .

J O HN PA S T O N , kn ig ht
w ard IV .
.

T idi n gs b ut ( on ly) th at ye st erd a y my L a dy L on don Mon da y , ,

M archion ess O f D orset which is m y L ad y

1
, 2 3 rd O f J un e 1 4 7 7 1 7 E IV
,
. . .

H ast i n gs s daughter, h ad c hilded a son

’
.

LE T T E R CCCXCVII —(X L IV vol v p .

. . . .

H I le tt er or ra ther three letters in co us i n your daugh t er he t old me of another

sum
[ S
T on e, ,
,

co n ta in s a curious displ ay on the par t of J ohn th a t he should h a ve with her th an of an

P as t on of w hat S ir J oh n Fe n n c alls good 1 0 01.
H e h a th before this been won t to tell
sen se an d a ddre ss in m an agi n g a m atter ,
me n on e un truth an d wh a t I sh all deem in
,

though some fi n esse appears ”

P erhap s the .
thi s m a tter I c an n ot sa y for methin ke th if ,

worl d n ow will be ill— n at ured en o ugh t o c a ll

more th an an l OOl were promi s ed un t o him .

it trickery an d in deed such i s our opin ion .

by my cousin y our h usban d an d y ou th at , ,
,

Fen n chooses t o assume tha t S ir T hom as ye wo uld n ot le t t o give it him without so ,

B re ws h ad fa iled i n hi s promi ses, b ut thi s were th a t I or he abridged an y thi n g o f our

does n ot a ppear His propo sal s we ha ve promi se which I wot well n either I n or he
in ten d to do if I m
.
-
,
,
a y un derst an d th a t h is

sayi n g t o me was tr uth an d th a t it m

seen , were all con dition al an d J oh n P as to n ,
,
ay be
h ad been un able, from v arious c a use s t o
perfor m
,
,

c omply with h is t erms H e n ow write s a .

ed ; b ut wi st I th a t he told me other
shor t n o te to h is mother tell in g her th a t D a me
wise th an my cousin y o ur h usban d an d ye
,
promised him , in order to deceive me O f
S p arh amby my troth if he h ave it he sh all
E li zabeth Brews h a d bee n sick an d n ot able
t ill n ow to a tte n d t o busin ess ; th a t thi s d ay ,

th e m atter h a d been comm un ed, b ut th at

“ lose as m uch b y i t if I live an d tha t sh all , ,

other an swer th an sh e h ath sen t y ou in her b e well un derstan d the n ex t time I see him .

letter closed herein ca n sh e n ot h ave of her H e n ex t all ude s t o h is bro ther S ir J oh n s

H e there fore writes a letter in h is refusal to alter t he e n ta i l of S parha m an d ,
’
mother s n ame which he begs her t o ha ve m akes h is mother expre ss her di like to b e
s
“

tran scribed an d sen t t o D ame Brew s to come a da ily petitio n er o f h is, sith he h ath
,

gether wi th an other letter t o me, whi ch I

“ de n ied me on ce mi n e a skin g ; pera dven t ure
may show In the first of these two he
” he h a d been better t o h a ve performed my
m akes h is mother say, I amright sorry that
.

desire T his is certa in l y a m as terl y strokej o

.

J ohn P as ton is n o more fortun a te than he is exci te at o n ce the hopes a n d fear s of the
O ppo s i t e p ar t ie s S h e i s the n m ade t o pro
i n tha t m att er for, as I un dersta n d b y y our
m
.
,

letter my cousin your hus b an d will give b ut c eed t h us :

“
b ut, m a da y e are a mo ther ,
,
'

as well a s I where (f ore) I pra y y ou ta ke i t

'

n on e o therwi se b ut well th a t I m
an 1 0 0 l , which i s n o mo n ey like for such a
. ,
a y n ot do
j oin ture as is de sired of m y son tho ugh h is
‘

possibilit y were righ t eas y But ma dam .

,
by J ohn P aston a s ye will h a ve me to do ,
,
for, m a dam, though I would he did well I
h ave t o purvey for more of m
when I m a de th at la rge gran t in the m an or O f
S parham, that I ha ve m a de to hi man d my
,

y children th an
him , of which some be of tha t a ge th at th ey
1 C ecily secon d wi fe to T h om a s Grey M a rqui s of can t ell me well en o ugh th a t I de a l n ot even ly
,
with them to give J ohn P aston so l a rge an d
,

Dor set was daugh ter a n d h eir O f Willi a m Bo n v ile

, ,

L or d Bon v il e a n d H arri n gto n by K ath arin e d augh

, , them so little J ohn P as ton here show s a mo st
.

ter o f Richard N evile E a rl of S alisbury wh o was

n ow th e wi fe O f L ord H asti n gs L or d Cham
, ,
l a udable in terest in the wel fare of h is brethren ,
berla i n
a n d go v ern or o f Ca lai s .
, ,
though it h a s n ot hi ther t o preven ted hi s ex
1 2
1 16 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

t ortin g all
he could for him sel f In the le tt er . h a v e a substan ce whereupon t o live for I ,

a ddre ssed to himsel f he m akes h is m other

, would be s orr y t o weet y ou mis carry for if ,

expre ss hersel f th us I un dersta n d well by ye do in y our d efaul t, l ook n ever a fter help
,

m y cous i n D a me E l iza beth Brews s le tter ’

o f me ; an d a l s o I wo uld be as s orr y for her

whi ch I se n d y ou herewith whereby ye m

,

ay , a s for an y ge n tlewom an livi n g wherefore I ,

”
u n der stan d the sa me tha t t he y i n t e n d n ot to
, w a rn y ou bew are in a n y wise T h e c an t .

perform those proflers th a t ye told me they of be stowi n g h is min d is trul y disgustin g .

promised y ou, t rus ti n g th at y e told m e n on e His own le tt er i s dat ed from S alle in Norfolk ,

otherwise than was promi sed y ou ; where fore J un e 2 8 a n d those i n t en ded for h is mo ther
,

I ch arge y ou on my blessi n g tha t ye be well from Ma uteb y J un e 29, ,

a wa re h ow ye b est o w yo ur mi n d wi t ho ut ye

T T E R CCCX CVIII —(X L V vol v p

L E . . . . .

T m s an d t he followi n g le tt er con t a i n m ore n ot y our e ase t o depa rt with ; n everthele ss ye

of th e fa mily di sp ute s a bout mo n ey an d n ew may yet when you liketh perform yo ur sa id

gi ft a n d promise, an d t h is sumowi n g t o
, , ,
’
a t temp ts t o ge t ass i s tan ce from the widow s
proper ty In this S ir J ohn is the a ctor ; he K okett is n ot so m uch ; n ever theless I sup
.

a c qua i n t s his mo th er th a t he h as n o me an s pose th a t ye b e n ot so well p urve y ed where ,

o f p ayi n g a deb t d ue t o on e K oke t t a bo u t fore if i t pl e ase y ou a t y o ur e as e here a fter t o

,

which sh e h a d wri tt e n t o him be ca us e o f h is perform your sa id gi ft a n d promise, so th a t I

m an or of m
,

expen se s for the suret y of the ay h ave i t withi n a ye a r or two, or yet ,

C a ist er, an d the m a tt er be tween An n e Ha wte three I sho uld per cas e ge t your obligatio n ,

a n d me he al so an n oun ces th a t S porle is a ga in from K oke tt an he pleased where fore I

mortgaged for four h un dred mark s (2661 beseech y ou that I ay ha ve a n as sig nmen t m
,

1 3 3 4d ) t o T own she n d t o be p a id w ithin

. .
, of s uch deb ts as be owin g y ou p a y a ble at
three years, or the m an or t o be forfeite d lei sure of suc h mon ey as is owi n g for th e
,

which if it should h appen

“
ye were n ever wood a t B assin gh a m or els ewhere ; for so
like to see m
,
”
e merr y a fter so God help me God help me I sho uld el se wil fully un do
,
.

”
H e then cooll y a dds Ye g ave me o n ce m ysel f Respec t in g his brother J ohn he says
m
.

2 01 tow ards it, an d ye promi sed as m uch ,

. I h a ve gran ted him as much as I a y ; I
which I received a n d s i n ce of my mon ey of wo uld I were a t on e commun ic a tion a t wee n
sa id m
,
”
an or g rowin g th a t c a me to yo ur h an d s them for his sa ke ; b ut a dds th a t the period
w as recei v ed b y y ou a ga i n the sa id of h is return home is un certa i n D ated .

which , when K okett sho uld be repa id was T h ursday A ug 7 , , .

L E rT E R
'
C CCXCIX —(X LVL vol v p
. . . .

[ T H I S is M argare t P as ton s reply to the

’
a ga i n st him for y our own a dvan ta ge i n t ime
previo us letter , a t wh ich sh e seems t o h a ve comin g ; for if I p ay i t, a t lo n g wa y y e sh al l
,

been j ustl y i n dign a n t Witho ut an y greet i n g

.
, be a r the lo ss A n d where a s ye write t o me
.

sh e begi n s a t o n ce u po n the b usi n ess, an d th at I ga ve ye a n d promi s ed o ther

sa y s I p ut y ou in c erta in th a t I will n ever th a t is n ot so, for I wo t well if I h ad so don e y e

'

p a y h im[K oke t t] a pe n n y of th a t d ut y th a t would n ot assign ed me by y our letters of yo ur

i s owi n g to him tho ugh he sue me for i t
, ,
o wn h an d writi n g the which I h a ve to sho w
-
, ,

n ot of mi n e own p urse for I will n o t be com th at I should refra in [reta in ] a gai n the same
s um
,

of Willi a m Pe a cock a n d o f y o ur farmer s

p ell ed t o p a y yo ur deb ts a ga i n st my will ;
tho ugh I wo uld I m
, ,

an d ay
[ca n ] n ot ;
, a n d b uyers o f yo ur wood o f S porle ; an d ta ke

where fore I a dvise ye t o see me saved h armless thi s for a full c on cl usio n in thi s m atter, for i t
.
1 18 P A ST O N LE T T E R S .

M oreover, S ir Philip d e C rev eker 1 h a th c ame wi th him b ut fo ur hun dred horse, an d

take n them th at were in Fyn es 2 within thi s, I c an he a r of n o more th a t be comin g in
fo ur d ay s t o the n umber of four teen perso n s, c erta in ; an d in mo n ey he brin geth wi th him
a n d the rem an en t were fled , an d he h a d them an h un dred thousan d d uc a ts ‘
which is b ut a ,
to the Fren ch ki n g, an d he h ath b ren n ed all the sm a ll thi n g in reg ard for t h a t he b a th t o do
;
pla ce, an d pulled d ow n the t ower an d a pa r t wherefore I fea r me sore th at Fla n ders will
o f the w a ll, a n d de stroyed i t . be lost ; an d i f S t O mers be won all is gon e .
,
A n d as i t i s sa id, if the Fren c h ki n g in my con cei t ; n everthele ss they s a y th ere
c a n n o t ge t S t O mers, th a t he in ten d eth t o
. sho u ld come g re a t power a fter the emperor s
’

bri n g h is army through these M arches i n t o s on , b ut I believe i t n ot be c ause they h a ve

Fl an ders, wherefore m y lord h a th do broken bee n so l on g of c omi n o .

(ca used t o be broken ) all t he p assage s excep t A nd I pr ay y ou t o recommen d me un t o

Newha m Bridge, which is w at ched, an d the S ir T e rr y Rob sart,5 an d th at i t ple as e y ou t o
t urn pike sh ut e v ery n igh t . le t him k n o w of your t idin gs, an d our L ord
A n d the sa id Fre n ch ki n g wi thi n the se h a ve y ou in his keepin g .

three da ys r a iled gre a tly of (on ) my lord t o A t C a la i s, the S un da y n ex t a fter th e

T y ger P o ursuivan t, ope n ly be fore two hun dred Assumption .

of h is folk s where fore it is though t here t h at Your

h e would fe i gn a quarrel t o set upon t hi s
'

E D M U N D BE DYN G F E L D 6
.

town if he migh t ge t a dvan ta ge .

.

A n d as I un der st an d , the emperor s son

“

C al a is , S un day ,
i s m arried at Ghe n t as this d ay an d there
‘

17 th o f A ugust ,
1 477 . 17 E . IV .

L ET T E R C C C C I —( X L VII . . vol v p . . . 20 7

[ W ILL I A M the agen t or stew ard at

P E AC O CK he c ould h a ve n o sigh t of n on e Pe a cock .

M auteb y wri tes t o his m aster S ir J ohn

,
“

the n proceeds t o remin d h is m ast er o f h is

Past on of severa l m a tters c on n e cted with h is right of wreck at Win t er ton T his righ t of .

employmen t T h e fir st seem s t o be the col

. wreck a right still in here n t in m any m an ors,
,

le eti n g of eviden ce for s ome m a tter in which seem s a t thi s t ime t o h ave bee n very ex tens ive

S ir J oh n was on ly p ar tly i n t ere st ed , for he a s from the qu an t itie s o f t imber & c alleged ,
.
,
”
c alls i t Pickeri n g s m atter, a n d in thi s he
“
'
to h a ve been st olen the wreck in thi s cas e m ust ,

appe ars t o h a ve bee n ver y un succe ssful for ,

h a ve been almo st the en tire ship an d c a rgo .

’
on a pplyi n g t o a cer ta in fri a r in Pi ckeri n g s
'
Pe a cock say s these a re the me n s n a me s of
name , h is me sse n ger received for a n swer th a t ,
Wi n tert on , Rober t P a rker of West S omert on -

if he ( the fri r ) h ad a b ush el full of evi

“
J oh n L on eyard of Win tert on , T hom as Wood
k n ape o f the sa me, Willi am Wran th aman d
a ~

de n ce he sho uld n on e h a ve of them for he

, ,

( Pi ckerin g ) h a d set the l an d in trouble, n or J ohn C urteys of the same Wi n tert on , th a t

4 A d uca t of gold is worth a b out 1 0 s —0 f silver .

,
1
[ T hi s is th e C oun t
Cre vecoeur ren dere d s o of , n ea rly 5 3 .

celebrated by Walter S cott s n ovel o f Q uen tin ’

5 rry R ob sart kn igh t o f S id istern i n Nor
S ir T e , , ,

folk by th e m rri a ge o f h is da ugh ter L ucy to

me
, a
3
[ Fu in West Fl an ders ] E dwa r d W a l po l e E s q b eca m e an a n ce sto r to t h e
M a ximili an so n o f th e emp ero r Fre der ick m
s . , .
,
3 , ar , E arl s f O r ford
o .

r i e d M ary d a ughter an d h ei r o f Ch arle s th e Bold 6 E dm un d Bed n feld m a rr i e d M argaret d a ugh ter

y g
D uk e o f Bu gun dy —S h e wa s th e richest h ei e ss o f
, ,
,
o f S ir J oh n S cott co m ptro ll er o f Cala i s a n d was
h er ti m
r . r , ,

e a n d h a d been pro mised by h er fa th er to cre a te d a K n igh t o f th e Ba th a t th e coron ti o n

man y prin ces an d a m on gst the n umber to thi pri n ce
a
,

, s
,
o f Ri ch r d I I I
a He was highly in fa vo ur wit h
.

wh o m sh e n ow ch ose for h ersel f S h e wa s a bout 1 9 Hen ry VII wh o paid him a roya l vis it at O xb urgh
i n N or folk ; which fin e se at h e buil t —
-
. .
, ,

ye ars o f a ge at th e tim e of her ma rri a ge in August ,

,
He die d in .

1 4 7 7 an d liv e d on ly fi v e or s ix y ea rs a fter i t
, . 1 4 96 .
 P AS T O N L E T T E R S . 1 19

carried off
your severa l gro un d twen ty t wo -
very large quan tity of herrin gs a t this t ime ,
cartsq of s tuf
f eigh t score b ow sta v es three
,
~
, the price of a hor se lo a d bei n g stated t o be -

score a n d seven wa in scoa ts, fo urt een h un dred 4 3 6d i n L e t ter lxxv ( vol i p
. . Fen n . . . .

1
clep al d e five barrel s of tar, fo ur c o uple o f
'

, guesse s they were for win ter provi si ons b ut ,

ca rs, an d gre at plen t y of wreck of t he s hip P as t on h a d n o re side n ce in E ssex

m
, S wan s .

”
as ye sh all un dersta n d the truth a fter th i s . are a l so promi sed t o be se n t in t o E ssex by t he
T h e re st of the le tt er i s of min or a tt ers he L a dy d a y followi n g ; a n d he c ompl a i n s th at
in form
-

s S ir J oh n t h a t the herri n gs th at I sold yet n o barley n or n on e c an a bove ,

”
should i n t o E ssex are t here by th e gr a ce o f fourt een pe n ce t he comb T h e lett er is .
,
”
God the cost h a vin g bee n 4 1 3 s 4 d beside writt en at M auteb y on S un da y, November 3 0
other c osts ; this summ ust h ave pur chas ed a
. .
, .
,

LET TE R C C C C II .
—( LXXXII vol . . 11. p .

[ J ohn ton is a t len gth m

P as a rri e d a n d to M a rg ery B rew s ;
, wh o i s livi n g n ot with h er paren ts according ,

to on e o f th e p rop osed a rra n gem en ts b ut at O xn ea d on e of th e resi d en ces o f th e family an d p art o f th e

, , ,

j oi n ture o f Agn es P aston h er h usb an d b ei n g a t this tim e in L o n don It i s a pretty simpl e letter v ery
, . ,

ch aracte ristic o f a yo un g wi fe S ir J oh n Fenn" q ueries wh ether th e date a ssign e d to i t i s righ t or whether

S a i n t T h om a s s d ay m
. ,

o ur L a dy s d a y ay n o t m e an th e vi s i tati o n o f th e Vir gi n M ary J uly 2

’” ’
an d , ,

a n d th e tran sl a t i on o f S t T h o m as a Beck et J uly 7

. 14 7 8 W e thin k th e prese n t da te righ t fro m th e fol
, ,
.

l o wi n g ci rcum sta n ces ; th e n e xt l etter i s fro m h er h usb an d m e n tion in g h er rem oval to th e h o use o f h er ,

fa th er an d m oth er on a cco un t o f h er si tua ti o n an d i s da ted J an 2 1 1 4 7 7 8 a n d th o ugh S ir J o hn does

, .
,
-

n o t w ri te till A ugust 1 4 7 8 to con grat ul ate h i s broth er o n th e bi rth o f a n h ei r yet h e com p l a i n s o f th e

d el a y which h a d ta k en place i n i n form
, , ,

i n g him of th e eve nt ) .

To m
y ig ht r reveren d a n d worshipful husba n d, J ohn P a ston .

R I GHT reveren d an d wor ship ful husb an d 1 ,

an d th a t is so c umbro us t h a t I amweary to
recommen d me to y ou de sirin g he artily t o , we ar i t .

hear of yo ur wel fare th an ki n g y ou for the A s for the girdle th at my fa ther b eh ested
(prom
,

token th a t ye se n t me by E dmun d P erys ,

ised ) me, I spake to him thereof a li t tle
pr a yi n g y ou to wee t th a t my mother sen t to before he yed (wen t) t o L on don l ast an d he ,

my fath er to L on don for a gow n clo th of sa id t o me tha t the fa ult was in y o u th a t ye

musty rd d ev yll ers2 to make of a gown for me ; would n ot thi n k there upon t o do m ake i t
a n d he told m y mother an d me when he was
(to ha ve it m a de
) b ut I suppo se i t is n ot so , ,

c ome home , t ha t he ch arged y ou to b uy i t sa id it b ut for a skeusa cion (a n excuse) I

a fter th a t he was come ou t o f L on don I . pra y y ou if y e dare t ake it upon y ou th a t ye
, ,

pray y ou if i t be n ot bought th at y ou will

, ,
will vou ch safe t o d o m ake it a ga in st ye c ome
vo uch sa fe t o b uy it an d sen d it home as soon home for I h a d n ever more n eed thereo f th an
as ye m
,
ay , for I h a v e n o gow n t o we a r thi s I h a ve n ow for I h ave w axed so fetys (p rettily)
tha t I m
,

w i n t er b ut my bla ck an d my gree n a lycr,a a y n o t be girt

“
in n o b ar of n o

1
[ Wain scoats w ere pl a n k s (p robably ) m ad e for imp erfection s o f fem al e S p elli n g in a n
th e
l in in g th e w a lls o f room
o ak for ,

s ; cl ep a l d es or clapbo r a ds a ge o f un settle d orth o gra phy [ In v ol i 8 3 th e

w ord i s sp el t m
. . . ,

In Ry m er s
’
w ere boards out rea dy for m a kin g cas k s ) . usterd ev elers oed era .
’
,

2 T hi s w or d occurs m ore th an o n ce in th ese l etters i n a list o f articl es ship e d fro m E n glan d fo r th e use
o f th e K i n g o f P o rt uga p
,

b ut th e m ean i n g o f it I can n ot a sc ertain to my o wn a n d th e C oun tes s o f Ho ll an d

s at i s fa cti on ; th ough p erh a p s i t refers to s om e pl ce i n 1 428 tw o pi ec es o f m ustrevi lers an d tw o pi ec e s o f

r usset m
a ,

i n F ra n ce wh ere the cl oth was m an ufacture d T he . ustrcv ilers a re e um era ted ] n .

fo ll owi n g h ow ev er a pp e rs th e m o st sati sfactory 3

Q u gren o uill iere frog col our
mustyrdd evyll er
a
-

, .
, ,

e xpla na ti on M usterd ev el ers 4 T h e sam e v ery n a tur a l th o ugh t occurs I n th e

m
s,

a n ci en t b a ll a d o f Child Wa ters S ee P ercy s C o l ’ ’

oi ti e or (a s so m et im es an ci en tly an d erron eously

s p e lt) m
.
,

asti er d e velours F ren ch a h a l f v elvet ; or l ecti on 3 rd edit v ol iii p 5 5

m
-
. . . .
, , , .

esti s d e velours a b as tar d v e lv et Mestoya t is n

M y girdl e o f go ld th at wa”s too l on gs
Is n o w too sh ort fo r m
-
.
,

a l so a n o ld Fren ch w ord sign i fyi n g between both

,

O n th e presen t occa si on a prop er all o w an ce m

.
,
ee
ust b e
.

,
120 P AS T O N LE T T E RS .

girdle th a t I h a ve b ut of on e E li za beth . Written a t O x n e a d in righ t good h a ste on , ,

’
P everel h a th l a i n sick fi fteen or sixtee n week s the T h ursda y n ex t before S a i n t T hom a s s
?
o f the sci a tic a b ut sh e se n t my m other word
,
d ay
3
by Ka t e th a t sh e sho uld come hither whe n I pr a y y ou th at y e will we r the ri g wi t h a n

G od sen t tim e tho ugh sh e sho uld be cro d

,
the im a ge o f S a i n t M a rgaret th a t I se n t y o u for
i a remembran ce till y e come home Ye h a ve
( ca rried
) n a barro w
left me suc h a reme m
. .

J oh n of D a mme was here an d m y mother ,

bra n ce th a t m aketh me
discovered me to him a n d he sa id by h is ,
to thi n k upo n you both d a y a n d n ight when
t r uth th a t he was n o t gl a dder o f n o thi n g th a t I wo uld sleep .

h e he a rd thi s t welvemon th th an he wa s
Yo ur s ,
t hereo f
Im
.

(
a y n o lo n ger li v e by my cr a ft c un n in g
)
M A RG E RY PA S T O N .

I a mdis covered of all m

,

en th a t see me .

O f a ll other thi n gs th a t ye de s ired th a t I O xn ea d ,

sho uld s en d
you word o f I h a ve se n t y ou ,
T hu rsd a y 1 st h o f
. Dece mb er,
word o f in a letter th a t I did write on o ur 4 477 17 E . . IV
’
L a d y s d a y 1 l as t was ; the H oly T ri n ity h a ve
y ou i n h is keepin g .

LE T T E R C C C C III — (X L VIII . v ol . v . p .

[JO H N PA S T O N in t his let ter a dvises h is brother h a v e so good a se ason t o move h imw ith
S ir J ohn to co n cl ude h is m a tters n ow if p os ,
i t as n ow this p arl i a men t time for n ow ,

s ible , with the D uke o f S uf folk prob a bly I thi n k he sh al l be a w a itin g on the quee n ;4
an d al s o if y e might compo un d wi th h imere
,

m a tters rela t in g t o the con test ed property at

Heyl esd on a n d el sewhere beca use a n h un ,
he wist wh a t the v a l ue were i t were the bet ,
”
dred m ark s (6 61 l 3 a 4 d ) will do more in t er H e sa ys We would fa in hea r o f a l l
“

your ro yalt y a t Lon don as of the m

. . .
,
.

their n eed th an ye shall pera dven t ure do with ari i a ge of ,

”
two h un dr ed m ark s in time comin g some ,
m y L ord of York T hi s was the m a rri a ge
.

’
of the D uke of S uffolk s folk s h a vi n g let m e of the yo un ger son of E dw a rd IV to A n n
“
.

i n secre t wi s e h a ve k n owledge th a t he ( the M ow b ra y the d a ughter an d heiress o f J ohn

,

D uke ) must m ake a shi ft for mon ey an d th a t ,

D uke o f Norfolk who died very yo un g a n d , ,

i n all haste an d the D uchess is s a id t o be which took pla ce on Jan 1 5 1 47 7 8 a n d .

,
-
,

the person to trea t w ith as for my lord he , ,

fixes the correctn e ss o f the da te o f this le tter .

n eedeth n ot t o be moved till i t sh a ll be as H e the con cl de

n u s
“
A n d S ir, a s for m y
ho usewi fe, I a mfa in t o c a rry her to see her
, ,

good a s rea d y for the sealin g J oh n P a sto n .

n ext i n form s h is brother th a t the prie st o f t h e fa ther an d her frie n d s n ow this wi n ter, for I
n ewl y fo un ded ch a pel a t C a i s ter h a d written
-
tro w sh e will be out o f fa shion (shap e) i n
”
b y a n a t torn ey for an a cco un t a n d payme n t su mmer .T h e letter is writte n from the
o f h is profi ts, a n d sugge sts th a t as ye sa id ho use of P l a yters where he sta y ed in h is pro
“
,

un t o me tha t ye wo uld assa y to m ake a b a r gre ss from m y fa ther Brews un to M a u te

“

”
ga in with him so th a t ye might h a v e a prie st b y an d is d a ted Jan 21 , 1 7 E dward I V ,
,
. .

to si n g in C a i ster ; S ir meth i n k y e c a n n ot
, 1 4 77s ]
l C on cepti on of our La dy 8 th of December
th e n situa ti on an d be a m ean s o f preservi n g her fro m
, .

2
[ Dec .
,

a n y dis agreeable a cciden t

3 T hi s ri n g b eari n g th e im a ge o f h er fa v o ur ite .
,

s ai n t b ei n g wo rn by h er h us b a n d as a re m emb ra n ce
, , [T h e p ri est o f C a is ter ch a p e l was Dr Yo tton . ,

migh t b e l o ok ed up on as a g uardi an to h er i n her

. ch a plai n a l so to the q uee n ) .
1 22 P AST O N LE T T E R S .

of s len der

To his worshipf ul brother, J ohn P a s t on , be this deliv ered in ha ste

'

R I G HT reveren d an d worshipful b ro ther, a fter dwelli n g is in L on don b ut her

all d uti es of recommen d a ti on I recommen d sh e c ame t o a pl a ce o f hers five mile s from

me t o you de siri n g to hea r of your pro s

, E t on where the weddin g was for bec aus e i t ,

p erity an d wel far e, which I pra y God lon g was n igh t o the gen tlem an which wedded her
to c o n tin ue t o h is ple asure an d t o your he a rt s ’
da ugh ter ; a n d on M on da y n ex t comi n g th a t ,

desire ; lett in g y ou weet th at I received a is t o say, the first M on day of Clean Len t,3 her
le tt er from y ou, in the wh i c h le tt er was 8d . mo ther a n d sh e will go t o the pardon at S heen e,
w ith the which I shoul d buy a pa ir of slip a n d so forth t o L on don , an d there t o a bide in

pers . a pl a ce of her s in Bow Ch urchy ard ; an d i f i t

’
Fa rthermore c ert ifyin g y ou as for the please y ou t o in quire of her, her mo ther s na me
1 33 4d which ye sen t b y a gen tlem an s an
. .
’
m is M i stress A l b orow the n a me of the daughter
,

for my bo ard, c alled T hom as New ton , was is M arga re t A l b orow, the ag e o f her is by all ,

d elivered t o min e host e ss an d so t o my l ikel yh ood , eigh teen or n in et een yea r s at th e

c rean cer (credit or), Mr T liom
,

as S t even son
.
, far the st ; an d as for th e mon ey an d pl at e i t is ,

a n d he he artily recommen ded him t o re a dy whe n soever sh e were w edded ; b ut as

y ou ;
als o ye sen t me word i n t he le tter of l 2l b of . for t he livelihood , I trow ( I believe) n ot til l
fig gs 1 an d 8 1b of ra is ins ; I h a ve them a fter her mother s de c e as e, b ut I cann o t t ell
'

ou for very certa in , b ut y ou m

.

delivered, b ut I doubt n ot I sh all h a ve for ,

y ay kn ow by
A l wed er t old me o f them an d he sa id t h at , i n uirin g
q .

they c a me aft er in an o ther b arge A n d a s for her beaut y, j udge y ou th a t

A n d as for t he yo un g gen tlewom an I w when y ou see her, i f so be tha t ye tak e the
.

ill ,

c erti fy y ou how I first fell i n a c u a i n tan ce

q l a bour an d spe c i a lly beh old her h an ds , for
,

wi th her , her father is de a d, there be two a n d if i t be as i t is t old me, sh e i s disposed

s is ters of them , th e elder i s j ust wedded ; a t t o be thick .

wh ich weddin g I w as with min e ho stess an d ,

A n d as for my comin g from E t on , I l a c k
al so des ired in v ited n o th in g b ut ver si fyi n g whi c h I trus t t o h a ve
( ) by the gen tlem an him ,

sel f c al led W illi a m S w an who se dwellin g is

, ,
with a li t tle c on t in uan ce .

i a E t on S o i t for tun ed th at mi n e ho st e ss
.
Q uare , Q uomodo N on v alet hora, v ale t.

repor ted on me otherwise th an I was worth y } mora .

so t h a t her mo th er comm an ded her t o m ake

U n cle d i
me good c heer an d so in good fa ith sh e did ;
Arbore jamv id ea s exe
,

sh e is n ot a bidi n g where sh e is n ow, h er N on die

p ossun t
1 e se w ere for h is subsisten ce i n L en t
Th .
O mn i a suppl eri, sed tii ill a mor a.
4
2
[ Be yon d wh a t I was w orthy o f .

3 In 1 4 7 9 th e fir st S un d a y 1 n L en t fell
on th e 2 sth
o f F eb rua ry which ag rees with th e d a te S t M athi a s P erh a p s th e w ords p rece din g youn g P astou s ’
.
, ,

b ein g on th e 24 th of February S h een i s n ow call ed

.
a tte mp t at a di stich e xhi bi t on ly a comm on th e m e
Ri chm on d s o n a m e d by Henry VII
giv en o ut a t sch ool with s o m e form ula ry q uery
O n thi s th em e th e h e xa m
.
, ,
4 O f th es e v ers e s I can m a k e n othi n g

i n gen i ous fri en d h as attem

; b ut an an n e x e d to i t eter an d
en ta m
..

p te d th e foll o wi n g solu eter a pp ea r to h a v e been w ri tte n It i s n eed .

t i on ess to p arti cul a r i se th e ir d efect i n q uan ti ty &c

Q uaere Quom od o n on v a l et h ora v al et m
, .

ora T h a t v ers ifica tion h ow e v er was atten de d to i n o ur

U n de di ctum v el d ed uctum p ubli c sch ools a t thi s e arly p eri o d m
m
, , , ,

a y b e asc er

Arb ore jamv id eas e x emplum N on di e p ossun t

, ,

t ai n ed by such imp er fect li n es as w ell a s by a ore

O m n ia s up p l eri ; sed tam correct p erfor m
. ,

eu illa m ora . an ce .
 P A ST O N L E T T E R S . 1 23

erses af oresaid be of mi n e Writt en a t E t on the even of S a i n t Mathi a s

m akin g . the Apostle in h aste wi th the han d of your
, ,

more t o y ou at thi s t ime ,

b ut God h a ve bro ther .

y ou in h is keepin g . W I LLIA M P A ST O N , j un ior .

Et on ,

W edn esda y ,23 d o f F ebruary ,

1 478 9
-
18 E
. IV
. .

LETT E R GO GGYI —(L vol v p

. . . . .

HIS i s a very stran ge l ett er T h e wri ter . , p esby, O b y, E sq , as appears from a n other
of .

recomme n din g her self in the usual style, letter given in the Fi fth Vol o f the quar t o .

T o uchi n g the c ause o f my edition , of the rei gn of H en r y VII S ir J ohn .

t o y our m astership is for asmu ch ,

Fe nn sa y s “ T h e style of this letter is a rtless
’
poin ted with y ou t o h ave bee n with a n d s imple, b ut the l a dy s con triv a n ce by a

the d ay th at ye as sign ed me of, the forged lett er, as from her un cle t o her cousi n ,
wi thout yo ur good supporta tion , I t o lea ve him an d to go t o S ir Joh n , show s sh e
can n o t well h ave min e i n ten t, w ithout i t un derstood wh at sh e h ad un der ta ke n , a n d th at
t o sen d on e of your m en t o me , h er a t ta chmen t to him go t the be tt er of every
’ ”
provide a le tter in mi n e un cle s other con sideration Artless an d simple !
.

n a me , the which he sh all deliver t o my H e a dds n o on e can re a d thi s letter wi thout

co usin as (if) he were my un cle s m
’ ”
es feelin g an i n tere st in the wel fare of her writ er .

sen ger ; an d by thi s me an I will come a t your T o us the sty le of l an g uage so obscure an d ,

re que st, for my co usi n would I should n o t i n volved, a n d the spellin g which is n ot very
depa rt wi th h im( lea ve him
,

) , wi tho ut i t were good in the origi n al , seem s r ather th a t of a

to mi n e un cle s service ; h is an d al l others I
’
bold an d perh a p s v ulgar wom an ; an d S ir J ohn
refuse for yo urs, if my simple servi c e m ay be is here s tran gely a t i ssue with h is own rem ark s,
to your ple asure ; an d o f an an swer hereof I u pon which we m a de a few ob se rv a t ion s in
be seech y ou by th e bri n ger of my bill, an d I L e tt er c c xlvii vol i p . . . .

will con form me t o your i n te n t by the gra c e

of God , the which mot (m a
y) pre serve y ou a t
a ll ho urs .
”
ig
S n ed “
By yo ur wom a n an d
”
serv an t C O N S T A N C E R E N N YF O R T H, Cobh am
, ,

S a turd ay , M arch 2 1 , 1 4 7 7 8 By this l a dy

-
.

S ir J ohn h a d a n a t ural d a ughter t o whom her ,

mother left ten m arks by will, da ted Feb 4

,
.
,

1 4 8 1 on her comi n g of a g e sh e afterw ards ap

,
pe a rs t o h ave resided with her un cle Joh n P as
t on , the n S ir J oh n be tween 1 4 9 5 an d 1 5 0 0 an d
, ,

t o h ave been so ugh t in m arri age by Joh n Clip

LE T T E R C C C C VII ~
.
—(L XXXIII . vol . 11. p .

I t app ears by this l etter th at S ir Joh n P aston feare d th a t h is m oth er w ould n ot sen d th e cloth of gold to h i m
l est h e sh o uld s ell it an d n ot a pply th e m
,
\

on ey to th e p urpose O f erecti n g a tomb to th e m emory O f h is

1 24 P AS T O N L E TT E R S .

fa th er wh o h ad n ow been d e d twelv e y e ars He wa s buri ed very sumptuously in Bro m

,
a . h ol mP r i ory
proba bly a suita bl e to mb sh o uld ha ve b ee n imm e di a tely erecte d b ut h d been de f rred by S ir J o h n
t im e to ti m
, a e
e o n a cco un t o f th e e xp en se .

To m y rig h t worshipf ul m other M a r a ret P a s t on

, g ,
be this d elivered .

P L EA S E it y ou t o wee t th a t where as I in
, M ich aelmas th a t there sh a ll be a t omb a
ten ded t o h a ve been a t home thi s M id summer , s omewh a t el se over m y fa ther s gra ve, ’

a n d p urpo sed with yo ur good help to h a ve who se s oul God h a v e mercy, th a t there sh
’
b eg un upon my fa ther s tomb so th a t it might n on e be like i t i n Norfolk ; a n d a s ye sh all
‘

h a ve bee n e n de d thi s summer ; i t is so th a t gla d hereafter

lei sure tha t I m
,

for such c a use s as are n ow begun betwee n m y ay come home, an d

L ord o f S uffolk a n d me for the m a n ors of n ot ,

yet the mon ey shall be p ut
Heyl esd on D ra yto n , & c for which m a tters I other use but k ept by some tha t ye
th at it m
.
, , ,

m ust n eed s be here thi s n ex t term ; there fore a y be be stowed a ccordi n g a s

I d eem it wo uld be a fter M idsummer ere th an writte n a n d el se I give you c a us e

,

(be fore) I c an see y ou . tr ust me while y e a n d I live .

P le as e i t y ou al s o t o wee t th a t I comm un ed
w ith M aster P yken h a mt o weet if he would
b uy the cloth o f gold for so m uch a s he de
s ired o n ce t o h a ve bo ugh t it an d h e o ffered

me on ce 20 mark s ( 1 31 6s 8d ) therefor n e
,

. . .
,

v erth el ess i t co st me 24 1 yet n ow when th a t I

.
,
ye h all be pleas ed a t though i t cost
s ,

spa ke t o him thereo f he re fused to b uy i t ;

, 20 m ark s ( 1 3 1 68 8d ) of mi n e o wn p urs e
. . .

a n d sa id th a t he h a d n ow so m an y ch a rge s be side, if I on ce set upo n i t

tha t he m
.
,

a y n ot . No more but I beseech God ha ve y ou in

,

But i t is so th at the ki n g doth m ake cer ta i n h is keepi n g .

cope s a n d vestmen ts o f like clo th which he ,

Written a t L on don the Wedn e s da y
i n ten d eth to give t o the c ollege o f Fo th erin VVhitsun week , in the 1 8 th y e a r ofE dwa rd I V
’
-
.

g a y where m y L ord his fa ther is n ow buried ,

P le ase it yo u to se n d me word by Whea tley
a n d he b uyeth a t a grea t price ; I comm un ed o f yo ur ple asure herei n .

with the vestmen t m a ker for to help me forth By y our son ,

with twelve yards an d he h a th gran ted to do

,
J O H N P A S T O N , kn ig ht .

as W hea tley c a n tell y ou ; where fore i f it

L on d o n
please you th a t it be bestowed for t o m ake a ,

tomb for m y fa ther a t Brom h ol m

W e dn e s d a y , l S th o f May ,

,
if y e like 1 478 . 18 E . IV .

to se n d it hither, if it be s old I un dertake ere

LE T T E R C C CC YIII —LI vol v p

.
( . . . .

A LT E R PA ST O N write s t o h is mo ther M ar a l so the receip ts recko n i n g the twe n t y shil

'

[ W ,

ga re t from O xford rel ative to h is expen ses li n gs th a t I h a d of you to O xo n w ards w ith

’
there H e says I m ar v el s ore tha t you sen t the bishop s fi n din g
me n o word of th e le tter which I sen t t o you T h e whole s umof receip ts
. ,
8 (1 . .

by Master Willia m Brown a t E aster I sen t IS 5 17 6

mf
. 0 o o o o o o

y ou word th a t time th a t I sho ul d s e n d y ou A nd the whole su o ex

mi n e expe n ses partic ul a rl y ; b ut a s a t thi s p en ses is 6 5 572
t ime the be arer hereo f ha d a letter su dde n ly A n d th a t [wha t] cometh over
th a t he sho uld come home , a n d there fore I m y re ceipts a n d m y ex
coul d h ave n o lei sure to sen d them y ou on pen ses I ha ve borrowed o f
th a t wi se a n d there fore I sh a ll write to you i n M aster E dm un d, an d it
thi s letter the whole sumo f my expe n ses
,
d ra weth to 0 8 0
si n c e I was with you t ill E a ster l ast p ast a n d ,
an d yet I recko n n o n e expe n se s sin ce E aster,
1 26 P AST O N L ETTE R S .

fish ; ye t hath he left you a pike or two a ga in in his me ; an d as

na

yec ome, the which w oul d be grea t com for t t o da ily threa t my m ast er
“

all your frien ds an d d isco m for t t o your en e to sla y for comin g on th

mie s ; for at h is be in g there th a t da y there
was n ever n o m an tha t pl a yed H erod in Cor
1
u s Chris t i pl ay be tter, an d more a gree able
p
t o his p agean t, th an he did ; b ut y e shall un
d erstan d that i t was aft ern oon an d the wea ther
ho t, an d he so feeble for sickn e ss tha t h is legs
would n ot bea r him b ut there was two m
ha d gre a t p a in t o keep h imon his fee t ; an d
,
en

’
there ye were j dged u S ‘
ome id sl ay, some
sa .

an d for th c ome my
sa id p ut him i n pri son
lord, an d he wo ul d mee t y ou wi th a spear ,
an d h a ve n on e o ther men ds (a m )
en ds for th at

trouble as ye ha ve put him t o b ut your

’
hea r t s blood, an d th at wi ll he ge t wi th
his own h an ds ; for an d (if) ye h a ve Heyl es
d on an d D ray t o n ye sh all ha ve his li fe wi th
i t ; an d so he co m fort ed your en emie s wi th
tha t word that they have d eal ed an d dea le th
wood ; an d (the) most prin cipal n ow
2
is Nichol as v y oO f r as fo F rre
r a
, r the m ayor
he deals n ot without i t be un der cover t ; for
i t is sa id tha t he besough t my lord tha t he
mi gh t h a ve o ther a ssign men ts for h is mon ey
th at he h a d pa id for pla in ly he would dea l
,
c la imed from himby Paston , whi ch as he
n o more wi th the wood ; an d so my lord ha th

set i n the b a ili f f of Cossey : an d all is don e

l ik e insc ip i o n
an r t th ar d h as also a dded on
. S to ,

th e t or t
au h i y of W eev er a m util ated ins crip ti on a s
, ,

b el on gin g to thi s to mb : Hie jac et D o mi n us”Wi n g

fiel d d e L eth erin gh a m cuj us an im e But .

b oth W eev er a nd G o ugh distin ctly sep arate th e

mon umen t a n d the i n scrip tion s Wee ver says som e . ,

s en te n ces aft er m en ti on i n g th e three D uk e s o f S uf

wri te fully, as he expe cts t o be wi th S ir John
in abo ut a week “ wi tho ut I m
folk , In th e p arish church a re th ese i n scrip tions or
ep itap hs , a y h ave more
Ric de l a P o l e
. M ich son s o f . c om fort of mon ey than I ha ve ye t ”
Heq
.

J oh an de la P ol e
de l a P o l e
Do mWin gfield d e Lether i n gh a m
. .
a dds ,
A n d as for m y mi stre ss your mo ther,
,
&c
(she) ha th been greatly di se ased an d so sick
.
, .

T his h o w e ver h as p ro bably b een th e fo un dati on o f

th e m
, ,

istak e ; an d w e ar n ot a w are th a t th e writer

e tha t sh e ween ed t o have died, an d b ath a de m
o f th e art icl e in th e Gen tl em a n s M a ga z i n e h a d ’ ’
her will the which ye sha ll un der stan d more
when I come, for there is every m
,
a n y oth er a uth or ity th a n T h a t th e
’
S to th ard s
effi gy is i n tr uth th a t of th e un fortunate Willia m an for him
.

de l a P ol e i s still farth er con fi rm e d as o ur cor sel f ; I kn o w n ot th e c irc umstan ce of every

.

re sp on den t o bserves b y th e use of th e li on at t h e thin g as ye t, a n d therefore I wri te n o more t o s

y ou therein b ut I am
,

feet a s i n th e other De l a P ol e m on um e n ts
,
promised t o kn ow ere
,
1
[ T h e o ld mysteri es or mirac l e pl a ys C orp us .

I depar t from then ce ”

T hi s will n ever t ook
Chr i sti d ay i s the T h ursday after th e octav e o f Whi t
s un tid e a t im e wh e n th e m
.

, ysteri es were freq uen tly e ffe c t a s the on e proved after her dea th was
,
p erfor m ed ) . dated Feb 4 , 1 4 8 1 T hi s lon g an d i n terest
. .
2
[ Rich ar d Fa rrer or Ferri o ur wa s five tim es
, ,
in g le tter i s d ated from Norwi ch, May 20,
a o f Nor wich in 1 47 3 1 4 7 8 1 4 83 1 4 9 3 a n d
8o r
,
1 47
, , , ,

1m49y .
 P A ST O N L E T T E RS . 1 27

L '
E rT E R c c c cx .
—(Lxxx i v . vol . 11. p .

9 oll o win g is i n dorsed Lra Johi P as ton m

f , il p q ua p a tet . S e fore i n m
. a g n o f vore Re gi s T hi s a .

l etter is in a n sw er to th a t o f S ir J oh n P a ston to h is m other da te d 1 3 th o f Ma y 1 4 7 8 a n d sho ws th e desire

, , ,

tha t h e h a d tha t so m e to mb sh o uld be erected o ver her h us ba n d s gra ve [T h e m e n tion o f Cl ere e x pen d
’

i n g 1 0 0 1 upo n th e des k s in th e cho i r is very cur i o us : the s um

s .

is l ar g e b ut wa s pro b a bly for th e ri ch

th ough so m etim
. ,

es grotesq uecarvi n gs so p ro fusely l a vis h e d or so m e o f o ur an cien t religio us edifices Her .

a dvi ce reg a r di n g th e m a r ri a ge i s a l so n oti ceabl e if o n l y fo r th e ki n dly w o m a n ly fe li n g th a t b re ak s o ut

through the oth er sel fish m
, e

otives suggested by h er i f ye can fin d i n yo ur hea rt to l o v e

,

T o t he rig ht worshipf ul S ir J ohn P a ston , K n ig ht .

’
GR E E T you well , an d sen d y ou lo ath tha t ye should lose the good will of such
God s bless
as m a y do for y ou
y ou weet th a t I ha ve .

by Whea tley the clo th of gold, I tem , whereas ye h ave begun your cla im in
Heyl esd on an d D rayt on I pra y God se n d you
you th at i t be n ot sol d to n on e other ,
’
to th e performin g of your fa ther s
good speed an d fur theran ce in i t ; ye h ave as
ye sen d me word in writ in g ; if ye
good a seas on as ye would wish con siderin g ,

an y other use by my tro th, I sh a ll

, tha t your a dversary stan ds n ot in best fa vo ur
with the kin g .

20 ma rk s Als o ye have the voice in this co un try, tha t

i t, a n d if I ye m a y do as m uch with the ki n g as a n
y
wo uld n ot kn igh t tha t is belon gin g t o the cour t ; if i t be
depart from i t Remember you wha t cha rge so, I pra y God con t in ue i t ; a n d a l s o th a t y e
.

’
I ha ve h ad wi th y ou of late which will n ot should marry right n igh of the queen s blood ;2
be for my ease thi s two ye ars ; when ye m
,

a y, what sh e is we are n ot as certa in , b ut if i t be so

better, I tr ust ye will reme m ber i t
M y cousin Clere 1 doth as m uch c ost at
m
Bro h ol mas will draw an 1 001 upon the
.th at your l an d should come a ga in by the
re ason of your m arria ge a n d t o be set in re st,
,

a t the reveren c e of God for sake i t n ot if y e

.

desks in the cho ir, an d in o ther pl a ces, an d can fin d in yo ur he art t o love her , so th a t sh e
H eydon in likewise, an d if there shoul d n o thin g be such on e as y e can thin k t o ha ve issue by ,

h e don e for your father i t would be t oo gre at or else m y by tro th I ha d ra ther th a t ye n ever
a sha me for us all , an d i n c hie f t o see him lie m a rried in yo ur li fe .

as he do th Also if your m atter take n ot n ow t o good

Also as I un derstan d i t, my cous in Rober t effec t, y e an d all yo ur frie n ds m
.
,

a y repen t

Clere thin keth great un kin dn ess in dea lin g themtha t ye began your cl a im, without tha t
with him of P ea cock , for c er ta i n pas ture tha t ye ha ve ta ken such a sure way as m a y be t o

ye gran ted hi mt o have an d Pe a cock ha th let your in ten t for m an y in con ven ien c es th a t m
, ay
,

i t to o thers, such as he list t o le t i t to, n ot with fall thereof; God sen d you good speed in a l l
sta n di n g my co us in h a th la id th e p asture wi th your m a tters .

his c a ttl e , an d P e a cock ha th distra in ed them Writt en at M auteb y, the d ay a fter S a in t

.

I thin k thi s dealin g is n ot a s i t should be : I Aus ti n 3 in M ay the 1 8 th yea r of K in g

, ,

would tha t e a ch of y ou should do for other, E dw ard IV .

an d l ive as kins men an d frien ds ; for such By your mother

serv an ts m
.

ay make trouble be twi xt you, wh ich

M auteb y
were a gain st courte sy, so n igh n eighbours as T ue sda y 2 6th of Ma y ,
,

ye be H e i s a man of substan c e an d worship

. 1 47 8 1 8 E IV
, . . .

an d so wil l be taken in this shire ; an d I were

Willi am or T hom
1 as C lerc ; th ey b oth di e d with beh av i our to war ds this gen tl eman sh o ws h er to be a

o ut i ssue an d w ere succee de d by R ob ert th e i r n e x t wo m an of sen se a n d discern men t

2 S o m e l ady o f th e W o o d v il e or Wid vil e fam
.
,

broth er wh o wa s kn ighted i n 1 494 an d di e d i n 1 5 29

,
. ily .

3 S t A ug usti n e 25 th of Ma
Th e advice which:s h e give s her so n re sp ecti n g h is . y ,
.
 1 28 P A ST O N L E T T E R S .

LE T T E R c c c c xr— (L xxx v . . vol . 11. p .

We see by thi s a ccoun t th e m eth ods practi se d by th e grea t m en o f th e tim e to get p o ssessi on o f e st a tes
b en efices ; a n d w e a re i n to rmed o f th e k i n g s i n te n ti o n o f s i tti n g a s a j udg e to try a crimi n a l
’

T h e an e .

d otes likewi se o f th e E arl o f O x ford are curi o us .

T o J ohn P a ston , E sq , be this let ter delivered, or to y m

m i t his w ife, a t N or wich, t o d eliver
m
. s ress,
t o hi .

BR O T HE R Jo n N , I recommen d me t o y ou an d , c aus e b ut for

good gran dam s sa ke ; our
’
n ever
I th an k God my si ster your wi fe, an d y ou of
, , th el ess y e wrote well, th at there i s
my fa ir n ephew Chri st opher, which I un der en tress (in terest) lon gi n g t o us a fter
s tan d y e h a ve , whereof I a m righ t gl a d, an d I cease ; if there be a n y such thin g beg
pra y God sen d y ou m an y if it be h is ple asure ;
n evertheless ye be n ot kin d tha t ye sen d me n o
weetin g thereof ; I h a d kn owledge by footrn en
or ever ye c ould fin d an y messen ger on horse that ye forget me .

m
b a ck to brin g me word thereo f . A s for t idin gs here I he ar t ell th a t my ,
1
S ir i t
,
is o
s tha t the D uke o f B u cki n gha m sin S ir Robert Cha berl a in hath en tere
sh all come on pil g rim a ge t o W a ls i n gh a m an d m an or of S col ton upon you r bedfello w
s o t o Boken h a m
,
2
C astle to my l ady his s i ster : y ers
5
whereof y e sen d me n o word
, .

a n d then it is suppo sed th a t he sh all t o my Item, youn g Will ia m Bran d o n 6 is arre sted
m
,
3
L a dy of Norfolk an d min e un cle Willi a
,
for th at he sho uld ha ve b y force ravi shed a n
c ome th wi th him ; an d he t elle th me th a t there old gen tl ewom an , an d yet wa s n ot therewit h
i s like t o be trouble in th e m an or of O x n ea d ; eas ed, b ut ra vished her eldest da ughter an d ,
wherefore I pray y ou take heed les t tha t the then wo uld ha ve ra vi shed the o ther si ster both ;
’
D uke of S uifolk s co un cil pl a y therewith n ow
4
m
wherefore en say fo ul of him a n d tha t he ,

a t the v a c a t ion of the b e n e fi c e as they did wo uld eat the h en an d all her chickens ; a n d
m
,

with the b en efice o f D ra y ton , which by the s ome s ay th a t the ki n g in ten d eth t o sit u i

him an d m
p
help of Mas ter J ohn S alett an d D onn e h is en sa y he is like t o be h an ged for

man there was a quest made by the sa id

, ,

,
he ha th wedded a widow 7 .

D on n e, th a t foun d tha t the D uke of S uffol k

was very pa tron whi ch was fal se ye t they did
, ,
5 custom o f slee pi n g to geth er see ms n ot t o
[ Th e
i t for an eviden ce ; b ut n o w if a n y such prat h ve been un comm on in thi s or e ven a la t r ag e
a e ,

a n d to h a ve gen erally impli d a g ea t d egree o f c o n e r

( p ra ct ice) should be l abo ured it is I hope in fid en ce a n d fri en dship S h a k p ere h a s m ore th a n
. s
better c ase, for s uch a thin g must n eeds be o n ce all ude d to th e custo m a n d M al on e ch ar cteri sed , a

foun d before M aster J ohn S myth, who is our i t as un seemly ; b ut as the editor o f the P icto ri a l ,

S h a ksp ere truly o bserves c ustom s a re un seemly

fo r the m
o l d frie n d ; where fore I pr ay y ou l a bo ur him ,
tha t if n eed b e, he m
, ,

' o st p a rt wh e n th ey a re o pp o sed to th e
ay do us a frien d s turn
,

, g en era l usa ges of soci ety an d to th e s tate o f p ub li c ,

therei n . O pin i o n T h e n ecess i ty fo r tw o p erson s occupyin g

.

I tem, both ye an d I m ust n eeds take thi s o n e b ed b el on g ed to a n a g e wh e n ro o m s w ere l a r g e

matter as our own an d i t were for n on e other a n d furn i ture sca n ty —Histories v ol i p s4 1 ] ”
. . . .
, .

, 6 W e a re n ot told wh o thi s Willi a m Bra n d n wa

s o ,

th erefore i t m ust rem a i n un cert in wh eth er h e wa s

rel ted t o S ir Willia mBra n don or n o t [ Ja
a
1 He n ry S taf or d He was beh eade d i n 1 4 8 3 1
.
, a . s.

Rich ard III P etti t A n dre w s in h i s An ecdotes a ll udes to t hi s ‘ ’

. , ,

2 J o a n s i ster to Hen ry D uk e o f B ucki n gh a m wa s n i n sta n ce o f th e e ar ly e xi s ten ce o f th e cl ass o f

s il ly an d p rofliga te y o un g m
, . as a

th e s econ d wife o f S ir Willi a m K n e et k n i ght o f en wh o a t di f feren t

'

B k en h a m
v , , ,

o C a stle N orfolk, .
p erio d s un d er th e n am es o f bucks bl oo ds m oh a wks
, , , ,
3 E li z a beth w ido w o f J ohn Mo wb ra y D uk e o f , a n d s w ell s h a ve e d ea v o ure d to att i n n otori ety b y
n a
, ,

N orfo lk sa cr ifici n g a l l co mm o n se n se a n d d ece n cy a n d p ub

l ic l y com
. ,

4 A g n es P a s to n gra n dmoth er t o S ir J ohn pre

, , mitti n g f lli es a n d crimes a lik e m ean an d
o

s e n ted T h m a s E v era r d to th e rectory o f O x n e a d i n mi schi ev ous ; an d for which m an y w e ha v e n o

do ubt h a v e n o tas te whatever a n d n o m
o ,

1 4 7 9 sh e a g i n p resen te d Willi a m o tiv e b ut a

mor7 bid va n ity cravi n g for p ublic atten ti o n ]

1 47 5 , a n d in a , ,

Ba rth ul rn ew so th a t t h e D uk e o f S ull o l k e ith r did

'

His be i n g a l ready a m rri e d m

,
e

n o t a tt mp t t
e disturb h er righ t or at l east did no t
o , an was cert a in ly a

s ucce ed i f h e e n d ea v o ured to d o i t . a n a ggrav a ti o n of h is cr im e .

 1 30 P AST O N L E T T E R S .

either godly, an d le t n ot your d esire be k n own

n I sen d y ou your present a ga in
a fter my a dvice : be n ot wro th though I s en d , W I LLIA M P YKE N HA M
un to y ou thus pl a i n ly in the m atter for I ,

wou ld y e did as well a s an y wom an in Nor

folk tha t i s, wi th righ t to your hon our pro s
, , ,

p erity, an d t o t he pleasure of God with y ou

!
,

a n d all your s, who h ave y ou in his ble ssed

k eepi n g . m
From H o e on C an dl em as d a y -
.
Ho x n e ,

T uesda y F e b , . 2, 1 47 8 9 -
.

LE T T E R c c c c x1 v .
-

(L v vol v p
. . . .

[ F R O M this le tter W a l ter Pa st on a ppe a r s to n ot good he k n ow i t un t o the t ime he sh all

h a ve removed to O x ford an d h is tutor, E d , ch an ge ; an d as I con ceive there sha ll n on e

mun d A l yard , wri te s t o h is mo ther Ma rgery , h a ve that exhibi t ion t o the fa culty o f la w ,
P as ton from O x ford, T hur sda y, Ma rch 4 therefore mo v e y e the execut or s tha t a t such
time as he sha ll le ave it y e m
, ,

1 4 7 8 9 gi v i n g certai n ly a very fa vour a ble p ut an other

;a cco un t o f the youn g m
-
, ,
ay

a n , as foll ow s As i n h is pl a ce such as sha ll like you to pre fer

, .

f or y our son W alter his l abo ur a n d le a rn i n g

,
If he sh all go to l a w an d be m a de ba chelor ,

h a th been , an d is, in the fa cul ty o f art, an d of ar ts be fore an d y e will h a ve him home thi s

is well sped therein : an d m year then m

,

a y be b a chelor , a y he be ba chelor a t M idsummer

,
a t such t ime as shal l like y ou, an d the n t o go a n d be wi th y ou i n the v a cat ion an d go t o
,
t o l a w, I can thin k i t t o h is pre ferrin g, but i t is l aw at

LE T T E R C C C C X V — (L V I vol v
'

. . . .
p .

WA L T E R PA S T O N wr ites t o his brother S ir t ook an y degree in the un iversi ty, a par t of

oh n for mon ey for hi s expen ses a t O x ford ; he the expen ses of those who became gr a dua t es
say s ,
I se n t a le tter t o my brother Jo hn , a t th e sa me time were born e by suc h pers on

c erti fy i n g my costs, a n d the c ause s why th a t ag e It doe s n ot a ppe ar wh eth erth eun iversi ty
'
- .

I would proceed b ut as I h a ve s en t word t o fees were sa dis charged, or whe ther it rel a ted
my mother I purpose t o tarry n ow t ill it be
,
.

,
on ly t o the expen s e a tte n din g the feasts given
M icha elm as , for, if I ta rry t ill then , s ome of a t such t ime It most probably rel a ted on ly
'

a n y co sts sh a ll be pa id ; for I suppo sed, when t o the expen ses a tt en di n g the good cheer ; an d
t hat I sen t the le tt er t o m y brother J oh n th at if so it migh t be con fin ed t o those of the same
‘

, ,

the queen s brother should ha ve proceeded at college on l y A n i n cep t or is on e a dmi tted

’
.

M idsummer, an d therefore I be seeched h er to t o an un ivers it y degree previo us t o the usual

se n d me s ome mon e y for it will be s ome co st
,
time up to which period he is so t ermed
, .

’
t o me b ut n ot m uch
,
T h e qu een s brother
. Wa lter P aston con cl udes h is letter by in
here men t ion ed was n o doubt L ion el Wid ev ille,
,

quirin g Wh a t is don e with the horse I left a t

afterw a rds Bishop of S a li sbur y in 1 4 8 2 ; T otten h a m an d whe ther the m an be c on t en t

m
, ,

Fenn sa ys, “ I t a ppears from thi s letter th a t th a t I h ad it of or n ot I t is dat ed fro

when an y person related t o the ro ya l fa m ily O x ford, S a t ur d ay, M a y 22,

LE TT E R C C C C X V I — (L VII . vol v p . . . .

T HI S i s an other le tt er from W a lter P ast on t o

.
how he go t on T h e le tter he sa y s did n ot
.
, ,

h is brother J ohn , an n o un ci n g h is bei n g m a de con ta in such a re quest an d wa s n ot received ,

a B A , an d n otici n g a repro a ch of h is brother

. .
till t oo l a te if it h ad T he del a y is thus a c .

as to n ot complyi n g wi th h is re quest of wri t in g c oun ted for M aster B rown had tha t same
 P AS T O N L E T T E R S .

time much mo n ey i n a b a g so th a t he d ur st
-
,
an d I m a de my feas t on the M on da y a fter
n ot bri n g it with him a n d th a t s a me le t ter (21 8 ! s e) I wa s promised ven i son a ga i n st
'

;
, _

was in th at same b a g a n d he h a d forgotten to my feas t of my La dy Harcourt a n d of

'
‘ “ ‘

, ,

ta ke o ut the letter an d he sen t all t ogether b y

-
a n o ther per s on too b ut I was decei ved of
.
,
,

L on don so th a t it was the n ext d a y a fter tha t

,
b oth ; b ut my guests held them pl ea sed "with
I was m a de ba chelor ere then the letter c a me ,
such me a t as the y h a d blessed be God who , ,
”
a n d so the fa ult was n ot i n me A n d if y e . h ave y ou i n his keepin g D a ted O x ford
.
.
,

will kn ow wha t d a y I wa s m ade b a chelor, I -

Jun e 3 0 ,
was m a de on Frida y was se n n ight ( 1 8th J un e)
' ’
,

LET T E R C C C C X V II .
—
(L VIII v ol v p . . .

[ S
T letter, da ted from Norwich S at urday
H I , ,
tha t sh e should n o t es cape an d thi s d a y c ame ,

August 2 1 1 4 7 9, has n either a ddress n or sig

,
a n other a t such time a s we were a t m ass for

n a t ure, b ut is suppo sed to h a v e been wri tten

'

my brother Wa l ter Whom God assoil ! M y ,

by J ohn P aston Walter P aston died at un cle was comin g to h a v e offered b ut th e l ast
’

messe n ger ret urn ed himhastil y so th a t he

.
,
"
N orwich a n d was buried a t S t P eter s Hun
7
.
’ “

, , ,

g ate ; Agn e s P as ton died a bout the same

‘
took h is horse in con tin en t to i n form more of
time, a n d was buried in Norwich C a thedral . our he a vi n e ss M y si ster is d eli v ered an d
.
,
”
T he un cle Willi a m
“
is alwa y s S poken of
‘
the child pa ssed to God who sen d us of his ,

with ill feelin g an d seem s n ow t o be sus

,
”

gra ce [T hi s sister was probabl y Ann e wi fe

.
,

p ected of ha vi n g s ome s i n i ster de sign s u pon of W Yelverton .

] D ockin g t old me secretl y .

h is mother s property , t o a p a rt of which h ow

’

, th a t for an y h aste (in a ll ha s te) my un cle '

ever if e v en he h a d n o previous right he might ,

shoul d ride b y m y L a d y o f Norfolk t o h a ve a
,

n a tura ll y expect to su cceed un der her w ill or .

three score person s whe ther i t i s t o con ve y my ,

settleme n t S ure tidin gs a re come to Norwich gran da m h ither or n ot he could n o t sa y ; I

th at m y gran da m is dece as ed, whom God deem it is ra ther t o put them in po ssession of
a ss oil ! my un cle h ad a me ssen ger ye sterd a y s ome o f her

L E 1 T E R C C C C X VIII — (L XXX VI
vol 1 1 p
' ‘
. . . . .

T hi s is th e l a st l etter f o m S ir Jo h n P a ston wh o die d o n th e 1 sth o f N o v emb er ’

r ibll owi n g b ut wh eth er o f
. ,

th e s ick n e s which h e seem s i n thi s l etter so m uch to fea r I ca n ot di cov er He h ere compla in s o f sick
s ,
n s .

n ess o f b o dy a n d s e em s t
, h a v e lik e wise m uch un ea i n ess o f min d T h e l an ds a t C aister Heyl e d o n 850
o s .
, s , .

w ere a con stan t troubl e to him f o m th e c laim s o f th e D uk es o f N orfolk S uffo lk & c [ His whol e li fe
r , , .
,

from h i s co min g o f a ge s eem s to h a v e b ee n o n e g a m e o f l a w E v e n i n thi s h i s l as t l etter h e b oasts o f h is

, .

s ki ll i n ch ecki n g un l e Willi a m i n th e p ro secuti o n o f h is suit T h e p assi o n for h o ld i n g l n d s eem s

to h a v e b en v ery i n ten s e : t h e P asto us submi t to a l m
c s. a

o s t an y sa crifi ce r a th er th a n a li en a te l a n d and
e ,

uncl e W i llia m a n d oth ers see m equa lly ar den t fo r it s acqui si ti on ]

T o the rig ht w orshipful M is tress M a rga ret P a ston , bethis delivered .

P LE A S E it you to weet th a t I h a v e bee n her e D un sta ble a n d there spake with on e of my

,

a t L on don a fortn ight , whereo f the first fo ur chie f witn esse s which promi sed me t o ta ke ,

da y s 1 was i n such fear of the sickn ess; a n d l abour an d to ge t me writin gs t ou chin g thi s
a l s o fo un d m y ch a mber a n d stuff n ot s o clean m atter between me a n d the Duke o f S uffolk 1
‘

'

an d I rew a rded h i m
,

a s I deemed, which tro ubled me sore ; an d as (with) 20s an d then a s I .

, ,
I to ld y ou at m y departin g I wa s n ot well i n formed you, I pa id five m ark s (3 1 6s 8d )
i n con tin e n t (imm
. . .

mon e y ed, for I h a d n ot pas t ten m arks (61 1 33 . . ed ia tel

y) u pon m y comi n g
whereof I departed 4 08 t o be deli v ered .

of my old bed fellow ; a nd then I rode beyon d 1 J oh n d e la P ol e D uk e o f S uffolk

, .

K 2
1 32 P AS T O N L E T T E R S .

here t o repledge out my go wn of v el ve t an d shipful a n d he said that he should sen d

mi n e un cle Will ia mtha t he sho uld n ot pr
,

other geer ; an d then I hoped to h a ve borrowed

1
s ome of T own shen d an d he hath fio od y d
‘

, c eed in n o such m a tter t ill th a t he S pea k wi

n ot forth ever s i n c e a n d in e f fec t I could h a ve

, him an d moreover tha t he should c aus e him
,

a t the mo st an d a t the s oon est y e sterda y 203 . be here

wherefore I be seech you to purve y me an l OOs .
,
as n o w,

an d a l so t o wri te to P e a cock tha t he p urve y c h ea tor,

me as m u ch , l OOs , which I suppose th at he .

h ath ga thered a t Past on an d other pl a ce s by

thi s time ; for wi thout I h a ve thi s l Ol as God .
,

help me I fea r I shall do but li ttle good in n o c an give eviden ce e n o ugh in th a t ma tter
matter n or y et I wote n ot how to come home
,
out the book ; a n d moreover th a t they s e
,

b ut if (un less) I ha ve i t . the letter an d the other n ote tha t I sen t

T hi s geer ha th troubled me so tha t i t hath e s chea tor, an d wi th help o f the e scheat
m a de me more th an h a l f s ick as God help me might be a s best is ; an d i f m y b rothe
L om
.
,

I t em I un der stan d tha t my un cle Willi a m

,
n or ta ke l a b o ur herei n I sha ll

ha th m a de la bour of the e schea t or an d tha t he , their co sts .

h a th both a writ of e ssen d c l oseth e xit an d . . Written in h a ste with shor t a d v i seme n t on
a l s o a supersedeas I ha ve written to the es
. the Frida y n ex t S t S imon an d J ude, i n the .

c h eat or therei n of mi n e i n te n t ; if m y un cle h a d n i n e teen th ye a r O f E dwa rd I V .

h is will i n th a t, ye t sho ul d he be n ever the L et my brother J ohn see this bill , for he
n e arer the la n d b ut in e ffec t he should h a ve
,
kn owe th more of the ma tter .

thi s a dv an ta ge which is behove ful for a we ak

,
J O H N P A ST O N , kn ig ht .

m a tter t o h a ve a colour or a cloa k or a b ut ,

L o n d on ,
, ,

tre ss ; b ut on T ue sd ay I was w i th the Bi shop Fr iday ,

29 th of Octob er ,
of E l y} who sh oweth him sel f good an d wor 1 4 7 9. 19 E . IV ,

L E T T E R C C C C X IX .
—(L IX vol v p . . . .

[ T H I S is m
erely
bill of the receipts an d
a an d the a mo un t for a few sum s p a id on a c
expe n se s of a m an or cour t a t Cre ssi n gha m,
-
coun t of the s i ck n e ss an d b uria l of his broth e r
held be fore Joh n Past on , on Nov 25, 1 4 7 9 ; . Wal ter ) .

LE T T ER vol v p . . .

”
[ J O H N P A S T O N here wri te s a deta iled an swer p esb y an d him, a ft erw ards sti ll more de ta iled .

J ohn P aston goe s on to rel ate th at E dm un d

’
to h is brother s letter (c cc c xv iii) H e i n form s
h imth at L om
.

n or a n d him s el f h a d d ra w n a h a d fo un d the e sche at or a more z ea lo us frien d

bill , an d sen t i t by their bro ther E dm un d ,
th an was desired At the de sire of the .

wh o chan ced t o h a ve an other erran d to th a t Bishop of E l y both pa rties were to refra in

art fo f the co un try , n amel y to get the good from litiga tion , an d thi s was urged by E d
p ,

will of H S pilm an towards the ba rga i n like

.
“
m un d on the eschea tor as a reas on why S ir
t o be fi n i shed h astily betwixt M i stre ss Clip
’
J ohn P a ston s in quisition sho uld n ot be moved
in un le ss Wm Paston first moved for h is ; .

1
Qy footed i
. , . f
e., s et oot
o ut o f h is o wn h ouse ; “
but the e schea tor a n swered him th a t he
or food ed i s , . .
, h o e for fea r o f
ea t o ut o f h i s o wn us ,
would fin d i t for y ou, a fter y our bill of his
th e s ick n es s m en ti o n ed t th e be gi n n i n g o f thi s l etter ?
a
2 J ohn Morton a fter war d s Archbish o p o f C a n ter own a uthorit y ; a n d so it was fo un d T he .

bury .
opi n ions an d a dvi c e c on veyed in the followi n g
1 34 P AST O N L E T T E R S .

LET TE R c c c c xxr —(Lx1 . . vol v p . . .

[ W I L LI A M L O MN O R wri t e s t o Joh n P as t o n a n li am P ast on or n ot be remembere d , & c .

a ccoun t o f the dea th o f S ir J oh n his b rother ; , a ft er th e de cease , & c , W , P asto n sen .

an d of wh a t had been don e to defen d h is

”
i n terests a ga in st the old fo e, un cle Willi am
“
,

who was en dea vour in g t o ge t po ssession , a n d

was, there is little doub t from the t en or o f
m an y precedin g lett ers a credit or to a ver y an d so m
eem i t were good for y ou
en s
—
,

cons idera ble a moun t “

Your brother E d a t l a rge till ye hea r more : i f ye migh t
’
mun d, on S un day n ex t be fore S t A ndre w, . L ord Ch a mberl ain s good fa vour an d
rode t o M arli n gford an d be fore all the ten a n ts
, i t were righ t expedien t ; as for my
ex a min ed on e Ja mes, keeper there for Wil E l y de al n ot with him b y our a dvi e
,

lia m Pas ton , where he was the wee k n ext

be fore S ain t An d re w, an d then he sa id tha t Your bro ther E dmun d
he was n ot a t Marlin gford fro mthe M on da y ham , an
d he sen t word
un to the T hursda y at e v e n , an d so there was t rea ty b ut wo uld ta ke
no m an there b ut your brother s m
,

an a t th e po se th a t was by H e y
t ime of h is dece ase ; so by th a t yo ur brother un cle sen t t o me to be
died sei z e d an d yo ur brother E dm un d b ade
y our m an keep po sse ssio n to your behe st a n d &c the bri n ger of thi s lett er c an tell y ou for
w arn ed the t en an ts t o pa y n o m
.
, , ,

a n t ill
y ou he was with your brother E dmun d a t thes e
Lom
”
h ad spoken (to) them ; s o me seeme th tha t is a pl a ces . n or con cl udes by i n formi n g

remi tt er to yo ur old ta iled title [your orig in a l him tha t his brother E dm un d do th h is dili
t itle un d er t he en ta il] : comm un e with yo ur ge n ce an d pa r t for you full well a n d sa dl y [

c oun sel . F ur ther, at aftern oon he wa s a t O x i n m an y beh a l v e s , an d h a th brough t my ra i s

n ea d t o un der stan d how the y h a d do n e
,
an d tress y o ur wife t o T opcro ft w hich was her ,
' ’
P erys kep t yo ur brother s po sse ssion at tha t father s re siden ce T hi s seem s rather a s in gu
time an d y our un cle s m
.

an was n ot there b ut
’
l ar a rra n geme n t a t such a time T he let ter is
he assi gn ed a n other poor m m
, .
,

an t o be there, da ted fro Norwich, S a turda y, Nov 28,

'

whe ther that c ont in ued the possession of Wil

LET TE R C C C C X X II
(L X XXVII vol 1 1 p .
-
. . . .

O n th e b a ck of thi s l etter i wr i tten in an

s ci en t h an d a L r e en t from Jo P asto n r [ a m
an ] to h is m oth er I
,
'

s a . r ,

t o uchi n g th e b uryall O f h is Broth er S i J oh n P to i L o n do S i J o hn P as ton di ed o n th e 1 5 th o f

”
r as n n n . r

N o v e mber 1 47 9 1 9 E dw r d I V a g ed betw een thi rty an d forty years I ho uld sup p o e n early forty T his
, , a .
, s s .

l etter there fore wa s written in N o v emb er 1 4 7 9 , .

To m
y ig ht w
r orship ulf mth
o er
,
M a rg a ret P a ston , a t S t P eter s qf Hung a te [ N orwich] .
' ‘

R I GHT worship ful mother after all duties of n ot h a ve been ; for I supposed t hat he wo uld
h a ve been buried a t Brom h ol m an d tha t
,

h umble recommen da tion as lowl y as I can , I

, ,

bes eech yo u o f y o ur daily blessin g an d pray ers ; ca used me so soon to ride to L on don to ha ve ,

a n d , mother , J ohn Clemen t, be a rer hereo f c an p urve y ed h is bri n gin g home ; an d if it ha d

been h is will t o h a ve la in a t Bro m h ol mI h a d
,

tell you, the more pi ty [ it] is i f it plea sed ,

G od, th a t my bro ther is buried in the White purpo sed all the way as I h a ve ridden t o h a v e
Fryers a t L on don ,1 which I though t sho uld
pl eas e d G o d th at my broth er &c T h e w ord it , .

1
(Fenn po in ts this p a ssa ge w e thi n k to
so as , ,
which we h av e in serted tho ugh i t mak es th e sen se ,

destroy a ll m ea n i n g wh a te ver J oh n Cle m en t cl ea rer i s n o t i n d isp en sa bl e as such eli si ons fra

be arer h ereo f c an tell y o u th e m
“
, , , _

,
ore pity is if i t , q uen tly occ ur in O ld wri ters ]
 P AST O N LE T T E RS .
1 35

home my gr da m an d him an t ogether1

purpose i s void as n ow ; but this I
do when I come t o L o n don t o spe a k
2
an d t o win by
, ten an ts of O xn ea d an d Marlin gford kn ow tha t
I sen t n o word t o him t o ta ke n o mon ey of
them , b ut their a ttorn men t ; wherefore he will
m
,
,
n ot t ill he he a r fro me a ga in ask them n o n e ,
h ut let him comman d them t o pay t o 7 servan ts
o f mi n e un cle, n or to him self n or t o n on e
,
other t o h is use in pa in of pay me n t a gain to
,

me I thin k if there should be an y mon e y

.

asked in m y n a me, pera dven ture i t would

m ake my L a d y of Norfolk a ga in st me an d ,

ca use her t o thi n k I deal more con trar y t o her

pleas ure than did my bro ther, whom God par
d on of h is gre at mercy !
I ha ve sen t to en ter at S ta nsted an d a t
O rwel l bury ; an d I ha v e wri tten a bill t o
An n e M on tgomery an d Jan e Rodon to mak e ,

b ut my emp t y m y L a d y o f Norfolk if i t will be .

Yo ur son , an d humble serv a n t,

other E d JO H N P A sT oN
may ride to Marlin gford O xn ea d
.

, , N o v emb er 1 47 9 , .

Cromer an d Ca ister an d all these

, ,
1 9 E IV . .

m an ors to e n ter in my n ame ; an d t o let th e

LET TE R c c cc xxrn — ( a . . vol v p. . . 26 7

N P A ST O N wri t e s from L o n do n t o “
his fel t as a h me to a ban don an un der ta kin g
s a

worshipful a n d mo st ki n d mother M ar ,
through fear of death P ast on con tin ues to .

” ”
garet P aston , a pparen tly in repl y to her a d v ice compl a in of h is un kin d un cle
“
H e sa ys
to himt o lea ve L on don on a cco un t of s ome
.
,
P le ase i t y ou t o un dersta n d tha t where as ye ,

prevalen t sickn ess His resol ute determi n a willed me b y pa in s t o has te me out of the
a ir th a t I am
.

tion n ot to lea ve importan t b us in ess un don e in it is so tha t I m ust p ut me in

,

through fe ar of dea th is markedly ch ara cter God for here m ust I be for a seas on ; an d in
istic bo th of the m
,

an an d the t ime s whe n for , , good fa ith I sha ll n ever, while God sen deth
the a tta in men t of a lmos t an y objec t of a mbi me li fe drea d more death th an sh ame ; an d
,

t ion or ea rn est de sire, an d sometime s even tha n ked be God the sick n e ss is well ceased
here ; an d al s o m
,

through mere love of excitemen t life was y b us in e ss p utt eth a wa y my

I a mdriven t o la bo ur in lettin g of
,

risked, both a ctivel y a nd pas sivel y, with a fe a r .

rea din ess tha t was n ot i n differen ce, a n d a (hin d er ing ) th e execut ion o f min e un ki n d
’
cour age tha t was seldom rashn e ss an d it wa s ,
un cle s i n ten t wherei n I h a ve as ye t n o n e
,

other d i s co ur a ge b ut tha t I trust in God .

1 Agn es da ugh ter an d coh e i r o f S i r E dm un d Berry

, ,
he sh al l fa il o f i t H e then procee ds t o ex
k n ight a n d wido w O f S ir Will iam P asto n k n ig h t
, , ,
.

di ed i n 1 4 7 9 pla i n his hopes of assistan ce from the suppor t

2 Willi a m
.

L ord Has ti n g s . o f the L ord Cha mberl a in an d the Bi shop O f

3 J oh n Morton a fterward s A r c hbi sh o p o f C an ter
, E ly the la tter o f whom he says h a t h p ut him
,
bury an d L or d Cha n cellor
. .

i n certa in t y by his word s “ th a t he will be

4 T his m us t rela te to h i s d i s ute wi th th e D uch ess
p
'

o f Norfolk re la t iv e to C a ist er or to s om e di sp ute s

, ,
with me a ga in st m y un cle ; b ut a ck n ow
with h is un cl e Willi am P a sto n con cern i n g oth er
, , l edge s he h a th n ot h a d much a s y et from them .

m a n ors an d esta tes [ I t m ust m ean al l h is q uarr els

.
H e then con cl udes thus M other, I b e
seech y ou th a t P e a coc k m
,

h is cause gen era lly I t wo uld b e imp o ss ible to g uess

a y be se n t to purve y
.

the on e a mo n g h is n umerous disputes ]

5 O f B eechw orth C as tl e i n S urrey .
,

6 T h ese see m to h a v e b een th e es q uires of th e h o uld or m ust b e

7
[T hi s to s ev id en tly be n o, no
kin g s b o dy " wh o lay i n h is ch a mber
’
,
. in serted af ter i t ]
.
13 6 P AS I O N
' ‘
LE T T E R S .

me as m uch m en ey as is po ssible for him t o

m ake a ga i n st m y comin g home, for I h a ve
mu ch t o p ay here in L on don , wha t for th e
tenan t s h a n ds for thi
'

fun eral costs, deb ts, an d lega cies tha t must be

, ,

c on ten t in gre at er hast e th an sh all be mi n e ye co un s el this from P ea cock , an d

ease Al so I would the fa rm barle y in Fleg
. , folk s, which m atter I shall a ppe as e ,
if Go
”
as well as at Past o n , i f there be an y were ,
will give me leave D a ted D ec . .

LET T E R C C C C X X IV .
—(L X III . v ol . v .
’

p .

[T ms le tt er though n ot sub scribed is n o do ub t ye will sen d some chil d t o m y L ord of B uck

i n gh a ms pl a ce an d t o the Cro wn which , a s
, ,
’
from J oh n P a ston to s ome perso n u n kn ow n .
, ,

T h e first par t of the le t ter rela te s to h is bro I con cei v e is ca lled Gera rd s H all in Bre a d
'

, ,

th er s t ombst o n e , or ra ther e ffig y , a s it wo uld s treet, to i n quire whether I h a ve an y ans wer

’

s eem by the obj ec t ion th a t the

’ ”
m
an a t S t . of m y letter s en t to C a l a is, which ye k n o w of
'

Bride s is n o cle an ly por tra y er T h e re an d th a t y e will remember m y brother s st on e,

m
.

a in d er of the le t ter is o c c upied with d irec s o th a t i t migh t be m a de ere I come a ga i n ,

t io n s as t o the t ran sa c ti n g of s ome b usin ess a t an d th a t it be c lea n ly wro ugh t I t is t old

me t h at the m
.

’
Rome respectin g a bull, but the n at ure a n d an a t S a in t Bride s is n o cle an ly

c ause o f it is n ot stat ed W e give the p as por tra y er therefore I wo uld fa i n i t migh t be

portray ed by s ome other m
.
’
,

s a ge re specti n g the ef fig y as a c urious n otice an , an d he to

o f the sta t e o f art in E n gl an d a t the t ime , gra ve i t up I t h a s n o d ate, but m ust have
.

h avin g on e ar t ist t o m ake the dra wi n g, a n d bee n written in 1 4 7 9

a n o ther t o c arve i t S ir, I pr a y y ou th a t

LE T T E R C C C CX X V .
—(L XIV vol v p . . . .

{ T H I S c urious letter is from E dmun d P ast on for her exc use which I m ust beseech y ou n ot
,

to h is mother, M a rga re t P aston , an d was pro t o a c c ept for i n good fa ith I deem her min d
,

b a bl y written soon after h is m arri age with the h ath been otherwi se occ upied th an to b us
wido w Clippesb y , as he apologi z es a ppa ren tly wifery which s eemeth well b y the l a ch esn ess
,

for n ot h avi n g y et i n t rodu ced her His n otion

.
(n eg lig en ce) of the t il th of her l an ds I be .

of s ettin g off the v a l ue of a hors e wh ich died seech God for the further a n ce o f them as n ow ,

while a t livery a ga in s t the keep of the o ther re ward y ou an d the good pars on of M auteb y
, ,

horses a llegin g it wa s p ut to grass an d to work

, ,
a nd a ls o M a ster B a ily, who I ween ed wo uld

remi n ds us of the hors e c aus e s of the presen t n ot h a ve b alked thi s poor lodgi n g t o Norwich

d a y H e writes as follow s
. Righ t worship w ard l I un derstan d by the brin ger hereo f
.

ful a n d most e speci al good mo ther in m y most th a t ye i n t en d to ride to Wa ls in gha m ; if it

ple ase y ou tha t I m
,

humble wise, with all my dut y an d service, I ay weet the s e as on as my

,
recommen d me t o you, beseechi n g you of d uty is I shall be rea dy t o aw a i t upo n y ou
your blessin g which is to m
.
,

, e most j oy o f
e ar thl y thin g ; an d it pl eas e y ou t o be s o good 1
[ T hi s sen ten ce v ery obscure b ut w e thi n k i t is
is ,

a n d ki n d mo ther t o me t o forgive me an d i n ten de d t o read th us I beseech Go d for th e fur

th eran ce o f th e m as [ from
,

] n o w th at is th e til th
”
( )
a l s o my wi fe, of our lewd rud e o ffen ce , tha t , ,

o f th e l a n ds f o m thi s tim e ; reward you an d th e

we h a ve n ot don e our dut y, which was to h a v e r ,

g oo d p arso n o f M a uteb y a n d al so M a ster B a ily

”

s een a n d h a ve w a i ted upon

you ere n ow M y
, ,

&c i e a n d to re wa rd yo u t h at is h e beseech es
.
.
.
, .
, , ,
h uswi fe tr us t e th t o l ay t o y ou her h uswifery G o d for all these o bj ects ) .
1 38 P AST O N LET TE RS.

T h e on e here proposed , however, did n ot take year in .

effe ct, an d Willia m died un m a rried T he . woman .

da te of the letter is un c erta in ; i t is here i s righ t si ster, of fa ther an d mother, t o

In gl oss I p urpo se t o spea k With him
.

g uessed a t Ja n 1 3 , 1 4 80 1 , b ut i t migh t h a ve
.
-

been a few ye ar s l a ter, which wo ul d red uc e h is good will Th e gen t lewoman is

.

the s en iori ty of the l a dy . thi r ty years, an d has b ut two children ,

’
I hear tily recommen d me t o you ; here is sh a ll be a t the de a d s cha rge
; sh e w
l a tely fallen a widow in Wor sted, which was
wi fe t o on e Bol t, a worsted merchan t, a n d -
I writ e for,
ta ke i t in wooth e [ta ke
worth a thousan d poun d , a n d ga ve to h is w ife p a r t] I show the leas t ; thus le t
.

an h un dred m a rk s 66 1 1 3s 4 d ) i n mon ey ,
( . . . k n owledge of you as shortl y a s ye ca n ,
s tuff of hous ehold, a n d pl ate t o the v a l ue of wh en ye sha ll mo un [be a ble t o] be in
”
an h un dred m arks, an d ten po un ds by the co un try Written from Norwicln ]
.

R C C C C XX VIII —(L XVII vol v p

LE T TE . . . . .

O H N P A S T O N ha v in g de s ired the a tt en da n ce do n e therei n here t o fore as far as I migh t

[ J ,

a t Norwich of a cer ta i n T hom as C ryn e the Wha t ( ever ) it mean eth, my lord is set sore to
,

l a tt er here wri te s t o exc us e him sel f as he is a ppro v emen t an d hus ban dry ; h is coun s el ha th
t old him he m
,

a bo ut t o a tt e n d the cour ts an d lee ts o f M as a y set his fi n e s for re spi te of

” ”
t er H e y don to whom he seem s t o ha ve been
,
hom age a t h is pleasure, & c T hi s is a c u .

b a iliff H e write s
. M y L ord Rivers in h is rio n s fea ture in the chara c ter o f E arl Rivers
own per son ha th been at H icklin g, a n d his hist ory shows him t o us as a chivalrous kn igh t,
coun sel lea rn ed, an d se arched h is fee s for h is an d a protect or a n d pa tron of li terature here
hom a ges, a mon g which ye be for Begv il e s we ha v e him as a n en cour a ger of a gric ul ture,
’

”
pastu re in S omer ton an d I suppo se Win ter
,
“
s et sore t o a pproveme n t a n d husban dry be
l a te S ir J ohn Fastolf s M y mistress, yon d the con c ept ion even o f a co un try ba i li ff
'

ton,
. .

yo ur mother for Ma uteb ys i n Wa xha m ;

, ,
T h e letter is da ted from T h orplan d, W ed n es
wherein I beseech y ou provide, for I h a ve d a y, April 1 4,

L E T T E R C C C C XXIX .
—
(L XVIII vol v p . . . .

[ MA R G E RY PA S T O N writes from Norwich to

’
an d Willi a m S myt h s c art of B ran don j uxta
her husban d John P as t on a b out the sta te of B arnh a m Broom, l at e farmer an d ba il ifi, an d
‘

h is tenan try, in co n se quen ce of ha vin g their al s o i n d a n ger to my sa id un cle on M o n d a y ,

implemen ts sei z ed un der lega l proce ss in an d T ue sda y l as t pas t c arried a wa

y from Mar
'

, ,
” ’
pa r t by un cle Willi am T h e whole le tter
. l in gford i n to the pl a c e a t S a i n t E dm un d s a t
di spl a y s n ot the l awle ssn e ss b ut the r ude
, , Norwich twelve of y our great pl an k s o f the ,

methods of leg a l process at the t ime an d the,

which they m a de six lo a ds, beari n g a bo ut the
very imperfec t sta te of a gric ul ture Right sa id c ar ts bow s a n d gl a ives bows a n d bills for
( )
reveren d a n d worshipful sir, in my most h um fe a r of taki n g a wa y S ir as for y our t en an ts
.
,

ble wise I recommen d me un to y ou as lowly as o f M a rlin g ford, they wi thhold their c a ttle an d

I c an & c P leas e y ou t o weet J ohn H owes

,
.
, , themsel v es bo th from the court, an d come n ot '

Alexan der Wa rden , J ohn T ille with the par , wi thi n the lor ds hip n or m ake n on e att ourn ,

son an d the n ew miller of M a rlin gford h a ve
’
go tten T hom as a t Well s cart of E as t T oden
h amfa rmer ; an d mi n e un cle Willi am P a s
, men t excep t T homas D a v y an d J ohn Wake
, ,
which absen tin g o f the te nan ts is t o them a grea t
'

,
h urt a n d loss for l a ck of seedin g their l an ds
ton H a rry H ervy o f M elton M a gn a fa rmer
, , ,
wi th their win ter corn beseechi n g y ou for
'
' ’
an d b a ili f
f t o my sa id un cle Richa rd B a rker s , God s sake t o remember some remed y for them .

c art of the sa id town of M el t on , l at e farmer ,

T h e lett er then procee ds to sta te th a t s ome n e
)
an d ye t is in d an ger (d ebt t o m y sa id un cle g oti ation was bei n g c arried on b y La dy C al
 P AST O N L E T T E R S .
139

thin ke th lon g sh e hea r n o word from y ou ;

sh e is in good hea lth, ble ssed be God an d al l
,
y o ur b abies al so I m a rvel I hea r n o word
.

from y ou, which grieveth me full e v il ; I sen t

Ma rgery P aston y ou a letter b y (the) bras ier s son o f Norwich
’
dds showin g the feelin g of
a , ,
”
suspicion en terta i n ed tow a rds him At his , whereof I hear n o word ‘
H er po sts cript is in
.

depa rtin g from my l a dy he was n ot merr y ;

.
'
her usual a fiec tion ate sty le S ir, I pra y y ou , .

what the cause was I wo t n ot M y L a d y . if y e tar ry lo n g a t L o n do n tha t i t will ple ase ,

Calthorpe desireth me to writ e to you t o have (you) to sen d for me” for I thi n k lon g si n ce I
,

en d for he i n ten d s l a rgely to h a ve a pe a ce l a y in y o ur a rms D ated Nov 2, abo ut

with you as he sa ith b ut trust h imn ot t oo
. .
, i

,
1 4 8 2 or
much, for he is n ot good My mother in l a w.
- -

L ET T E R C C C C X XX .
—(L X I X vol v p. . . 29 3

AN O T H E R of the pr uden t an d affect ion a te an d gr a cious l a dy sh e wo uld so be for he

, ,

etters of M a rgery P as ton t o her h usban d sa id tha t on e word O f a woman sho uld do

more than the word s Of twen ty m

,

a bo ut the sa me dispute s with h is un cle Wil en , i f I could

m
lia m en tion ed in the l as t T h e D u che ss O f . r ule my ton gue an d speak n o n e h ar mo f mi n e
,

N orfolk seem s t o h a v e hi therto fa vo ured Wil

. u n cle ; a n d if y e comm an d me so fo r t o do I ,

lia m but t o be n ew weary O f so doi n g, a nd tr ust I sha ll say n o thi n g t o my l a d y s d isplea

'

,
.

Ma rger y hopes t o win her to her hus ba n d s

’
s ure b ut to yo ur profit ; for me thi n keth b y

side if sh e be a llowed t o a ttempt it but will ,

the words o f them a n d of y our good fa rmer
,

n o t do so wi tho ut his cons en t From her fre o f O x n e a d th a t they will soo n dr a w t o a

.
, n
u e n t compla i n ts o f n ot recei v i n g an swers, en d for he c urs eth the t ime tha t e v er he c a me
q ,

her h us ban d doe s n o t appear to h a v e been a in th e fa rm of O x n e a d for he sa ith th a t he ,

very p un c tua l corre spon den t a t le ast with , weeteth well tha t he sh all ha ve a grea t lo ss ,

her th o ugh , as we ha ve seen , a good an d rea dy an d yet he will n o t be ak n o w n

, y (l et it be .

letter writer
-
. M in e own sweet hea r t ; in m y kn own ) whether he ha th pa id or n ot ; b ut
most humble wise I recommen d me un to you, when he seeth h is t ime he wi ll say tr uth I .

de sirin g heartily t o he ar of yo ur wel fare the ,

un der sta n d by my sa id co us in G urn e y tha t
which I beseech Almight y God preserve a n d m y la dy is n e a r we a ry of her part ; an d he
’
keep to h is pleas ure an d y o ur heart s desire . sa ith m y l a d y sh all come on pilgrim a ge i n t o

S ir the c ause of m y w
,
ritin g t o you a t this this t own b ut he kn oweth n ot whether a fore
,

t ime on Friday at n ight la st pas t c ame Alex Chri stm as or a fter ; an d if I wo uld the n get
an der Wh ar to n , J oh n H owe s an d J oh n Fille , ,
my La d y Calthorpe m y mother ih l aw, an d ,
- -

w ith two good carts well m an n ed an d horsed m y mother an d m y sel f an d come before m y
, ,

with them t o Marl in gford and there a t the , l a d y beseechin g her to be y o ur good an d gra
m an or of Marlin gford, an d a t the mill loa ded cion s l a d y, he thi n keth y e sha ll have a n en d
both c a rts with m estl yon (m
, ,

ing ) an d whe a t
es /
,
for fa i n sh e would be rid O f it with her hon o ur
an d betime s on S at urd a y i n the morn i n g the y sa ved b ut yet mon e y sh e wo uld ha v e
, NO .

depa rt ed from Marlin gford t owards B un ga y ,

more t o y ou a t thi s time b ut I m arvel sore ,

as i t is sa id ; for the sa id ca r ts c ame from tha t I h a v e n o letter from y ou, b ut I pra y

Bun ga y, as I suppose by the sen di n g of Bryon ,
, God pre serve y ou, an d s en d me good tidin gs
for he goeth has tily o v er the sea, as i t i s sa id, from y ou an d speed y ou well in y o ur m a tt ers
a n d as I suppo se he will h av e the m
.
,

estl y on A n d as for me I h a v e gotten me an other l o d g

o v er wi th hi mfor the most par t of the car t
,

i n g fellow the first letter o f her n ame is M is

lo a ds was m tre ss Bishop ; sh e rec om men d eth her t o y ou by
, ,

estl y on , & c S ir, on S a turda y

.

l as t pas t I spake wi th m y co usin G urn e y an d ,

the sa me token tha t y e would h a ve h a d a token
”
he sa id, if I wo uld go to m y l a d y of Norfolk t o m y M a ster Br y on Written from Nor .

an d beseech her good Gra ce t o be yo ur good wich, S un da y, November, abo ut 1 4 8 2 or

1 40 P AS T O N LE T T E R S .

LET TE R c c c c xxx1 . v p
. .

[ T H I S le tter is from John P as ton to h is mother n ot t o h ave me in jealo usy for on e thin g n or
M a rgaret who he h as heard fro mh is wi fe is other t hat ye wo uld ha ve me to a ccomplish, if
I o v erlive y ou ; for I wo t well n ot on e m
, , ,

a bo ut m a ki n g her will T h e letter i s rem a rk

a bly ch ar a c t eri s ti c of th e m
. an
an ; smooth pl au alive ha th c alled so oft upon
‘ , y ou a s I t o m ake
s ible c un n i n g s elfish a n d je a lous eve n O f the
, , , yo ur will a n d p ut e a ch thin g in certa in ty tha t
i n fl uen ce ofh is wi fe O f the m an n er in which . y e would h a ve don e for yo ursel f a n d to your ,

the provi sio n s o f wills were fulfilled by the children an d servan ts Also a t th e m aki n g of
y our will, a n d a t ev erc m mun ication tha t I
.

P aston s we h a v e alre a d y h a d frequen t speci

men s an d there fore if he me an s tha t h e mus t
, ,
ha ve been a t with y ou t ou chin g the same, I
p ut from him a ll that sh e might beque ath n ever con tra ried an y thi n g tha t ye would ha ve

o r a lly we m
,
ay gue ss h ow well h is word don e a n d per formed, b ut a l ways offered m y
wo uld h a ve been kept T h e will however, sel f to be boun d to the sa me ; b ut mother I

am
.
, , ,

was m ade d ated Febru ar y 4 , 1 4 8 1 2 a n d righ t gla d that my wi fe is an y thi n g ( in )

your fa vour or tr ust b ut I a mright s orry th a t
-

, ,

proved D ecember 1 8 1 4 8 4 A fter than ki n g ,

.
,

h is mo ther for her ki n dn ess t o himsel f an d h is my wi fe or a n y other child or servan t of

,

wi fe he say s
,
It pleas ed you t o h ave certa i n yours, should be in bett er fa vour or tr ust
words t o m y wi fe a t her depar tin g touchi n g , with y ou th an m ysel f for I will an d m ust ,

your remembr an ce o f the shortn ess th at ye forbe ar an d p ut from n i e that tha t a l l yo ur

t hi n k y o ur da y s of an d als o of the mi n d th a t
,
o ther children serva n ts, prie sts workme n
, , ,

ye ha ve tow ards my brethren an d s i ster yo ur a n d frie n d s O f yours th a t y e w il l ou gh t b e

,

children , an d a l so of your serv an ts wherei n y e , queath t o , sh all ta ke t o them ; an d thi s ha ve I

willed her to be a mea n t o me tha t I would a nd ev er will be rea d y un to while I li v e on ,

ten der an d fa vour the same M other sav in g .

,
m y fa ith an d n ever though t o ther so God b e
, ,

your pleasure there n eedeth n ot a mbas sa dors my help ; whom I be seech t o preserve y ou a nd
m
,

n or me an s be twix t
y ou an d me for there i s ,
sen d y o u so good li fe a n d lon g th a t ye ay
n ei ther wi fe n or other frien d shall m ake do for yoursel f an d me a fter m y dece ase a rid
me to do th at (tha t) your comman dmen t I beshre w (c urse) their hea rts tha t would o ther,
s h a ll m ake me to do i f I m ay h a ve kn owledge,
or sh all c ause you t o mi strus t or to be un kin d
”
o f it ; a n d if I ha ve n o k n owledge in good t o me or m y frien ds Written from Norwi ch,
fa ith I a mexcusable both t o God an d y ou ;
.
,

bet ween 1 4 82 an d 1 4 8 4 ]
a n d , well remembered I wo t well, ye o u gh t
,

R C C C C X XXII — (II o f Appen dix to v ol 1 1 p 29 1

LE T T E . . . .

T hi s l etter s h o ws th e fri en dly di s p o si t i on o f th e L or d C ro mw ell a n d s e m s to hi n t h i s suspi ci on s th at so m e ,

e

disagr ea ble circum stance might a tten d th e stra n gen ess ll ude d to i f bo th p rti es did n o t O bey h is i nj un e
e a a

ti on s H umph rey Bo urch ier L ord C rom well was thi rd so n o f Hen ry E arl o f E sse x ; a n d m arryin g J o an n a
.
, , .

c O h e i res
-
o f M ud s i ster o f R alph L or d Cr o mw ell h a d s umm on s to p arli am e n t a s B a ron C ro mw ell i n
s a , ,

1 4 6 1 l E IV T hi s l etter th erefore wa s wr i tten i n thi s re ig n

. .

m
.
,

ig ht trus ty f rien d J ohn P a st on E sq

To y r , , .

T R U S T Y an d well beloved frie n d I greet y ou-

stra n gen e ss on y ou r p art t o such time as I
,

well ; an d for as mu ch a s it is don e me to n u s peak with y ou n ext m ys el f letti n g y ou weet I ,

d erstan d th a t there i s a gre a t str a n ge n e ss b e h ave writt en t o him to do the same A n d tha t
ye fai l n o t hereo f as I m
.

1
d l i a y do an ythi n g for
‘

twix t my right t rusty frien d J oh n R a c fl ,

a n d y o u without an y m a tter or c a us e of sub y ou here after

s tan ce as I a m
.
,

lea rn ed wherefore i n a sm u ch A n d our L ord h a ve y ou i n h is keepi n g

m
.
, ,

as 1 love y ou well bo th , I a n ot co n ten t i t Written at L on don the t e n th d ay of Febr uar y .

should so be
C O M WE LL
.

P ra y i n g y ou he artil y t o forbe a r th e said

R .

L on d on .

J oh n Ra dcl ifi was a fterw ar ds L or d Fitz walter l oth o f F eb r uary E IV

'

. . . .
1 42 P AST O N LET T E RS

L E T T E R C C C C X X XIV (IV of A ppen d ix to vol 1 1 p .

-
. . . .

Thi s l etter fro m J oh n P aston to M rs A n n es or A n n e is ei th er to a Mrs An n e Hawt e or to som e

I amp ro wd th a t y
. , . . ,

a b ro a d at C a la i s fr m which pl a ce h e w s a t thi s t im e return i n g His sa yi n g

ree d In gl ysh e seem s to i m
, o a . ,

p l th a t s m e o th er l a n gua g e w a s h er n a tive o n e ; a n d t h ere fore sh e w as

n
,
o

p ro ba bly s om e fo re ign l dy T h e d a te o f th e ye a r is n ot a scerta in a bl e an d th e l etter i s

a . ,

h ere th o ugh it certa i ly com es m uch e a rli er in chron o l o gica l arra g e m en t ]

,
n n

T o M is tress A n n e
i t is so th a t I m
.

'

S IN C E ay n ot as oft as I would before y ou an d me a t our fi rst

be there as I might do my messa ge mysel f
, , together th a t as s oon as the y
,

min e own fa ir M istress A n n e, I pra y y ou to k n ew your i n te n t, an d your frien ds

to rec om
,

a ccep t thi s bill fo r m y me ssen ger , should sen d me word an d if they so ,

men d me t o y ou in my mo st fa ith ful wi se as ,

s oon a fter to s ee ou
y .

he tha t fa in e st of al l other desireth t o k n ow of A n d n ow fa rewell mi n e own fa ir ,

your wel fare which I pra y God i n creas e to

, God give y ou good rest, for in fa i th I tr
your mo st pleasure . be in bed .

A n d mi stre ss, though s o be th a t I as y e t

,
Writt en in my way homeward, on
ha ve given y ou but e as y ( litt le) c ause to re Ma gdalen s d a y a t midn igh t ’
.

m ember me for l a ck of a c quita tion l y et I b e -

, Yo ur own , J O HN P A S T -

seech y ou let me n ot be forgotten when y e , M i stress An n e I amproud th a t ,

reckon up all y our serv an ts t o be set in the , rea d E n gli sh wh er ,
n umber with other
y ou with thi s m y
.

A n d I pra y y ou M i stre ss A n n e, for th at , m y purp os

service th a t I owe y ou, th a t in as short time as

ye goodl y m a y t h a t I might be as cert a i n ed of yet d

when ye ha ve rea d this b
an
your i n ten t, a n d of y our best frie n d s in such ,
y ou burn it or keep i t se cret t o yo urs el
,
m atters as I ha v e broken t o y ou of ; which my fa ith ful tr ust i s i n y ou '
.

both your an d mi n e right trusty frien d s J ohn 22n d o f J uly ,

L ee, or els e my mi stre ss h is wi fe promi sed , S t M a ry M a g da l en

. .

L E T T E R C C C C X X X V — (VI Appen dix t o vol 1 1 p . . . . .

We are h ere furn ish e d with a curious th ough imp erfect catal g ue o f th e library o f a g en tl eman in th e rei o

o f E dw ard IV I t is w ri t ten o n a strip o f p a per ab o t se ven tee n i n ches l on g a n d h a s been rolle d up

. n , ,

which m ean s on e en d h a vin g been d mp i s en ti re ly decayed s o th at the n a m es o f so m o f th e b oo ks

,
a , ,
e

imp er fect an d the the n price or v l ue o t all o f th em is n t n o w to b e d i sco v ere d a

'

formly wri tt en t th e en d whi ch is n o w de stroy e d It co n t i n e d a n acco un t o f a l l

men tio n s those which w ere len t o ut
a . a

i s gon e y et by co mp arin g th e li st
, ,

i t fix es i t to th e libr a ry o f J oh n P a

a n d ap p ea r to h a ve b een bo un d tog
t h b o o k s m en ti n ed i t o b e fo un d in Mr W alt o n s H istory o f E n gli sh P oetr a n d so m e o f th e m wh en
’ ’
e o s . y , ,

a fter ward s p ri n te d i n Mr Herb ert s imp ro ve d e dit i o n o f A m e s s

, . H i story o f P rin ti n g T o these th ere
’ ’
.
’
,

fore I re fer th e re der

, {M uch o f th e o rigin a l is to rn or obli tera ted n d th e titl es o f th e w ork s i n e ach
a . , a
vo l um e a re run o n to geth er ; b ut th e d efi cien ci e s h av e been s up plie d by F en n i n a ll th os e ca ses wh ere suf
ficien t o f th e t itles h a v e b n l e ft to id e n ti fy th e w ork s )
'

ee

f J ohn ( P a ston ) m m
.

The In v en tory f
o E ng lish books, o a de t he 5 th d a f
y o ,
N ove ber, in the
of the reig n of E dwa rd I V
l A BO O K h ad of my hostess a t the George, G uy E a rl of W arwick
of the D ea th of Arthur, b e K i n g Rich a rd C oaur d e L y o n
gin n in g at C assibel an A Chron icle to E dward the III . P rice

[1 th e origi n a l a qwey tac on which F en n tran s

In , m ea n i n g th a t h e h a s n ot acqui tte d hi m
sel f reg ul a rly
l a tes acqua i n ta ce b ut this gives a ve ry ob cu e m ea n
n ,
s r a s a corre s p o n d en t ] .

in g . W e b elieve we h a v e given th e ri ght w ord ,

 P A S T O N LE T T E R S .
1 43

I tema ,
Book of T ro ilus , which W ill iam 9 I tem in qui re s
,
’

,
a B ook o f th e P ol icy of
Br h a th h a d near ten yea rs a n d In
len t it t o D am I temi n quir e s
. . 0 o c o
,

e W yn gfel d , , ,
a B ook d e S api enti a ,

a n d th ere I saw it wo rth wh ere i n th e se c on d p e rs on i s lik ene d t o

I tem a bla ck Book with th e L e g en d o f S a pi en c e
I t em a B ook d e ( Wisdom
.
, ,

La d 1 san s M er cy ) te x t O th ea 4

T h e Pa rli am
.
, ,

T he T e m
en t o f B i r d s
pl e o f Gl as s
.

M em
an d gl o ss worth i n qu ir e s

oran du ; m
i n g s o f A rm s
m
,

i ne o ld B oo k o f Blazon
P ala tyse an d S cita cus
I tem th e n ew B oo k p ortraye d an d
.

T h e M e dita ti ons of ,

T h e G r een Kn ight worth b lazone d

I tema B ook i n pr i n t o f th e Pla y o f th e I tema C opy o f Bl azon in gs of A r m
.

s, a n d
I tema B ook l en t M id el ton an d there i n i s n am
, ,

th e e s t o b e foun d b y
B ell e D am
, ,

e s a n s M er cy L e tter (a lpha bet ica lly)

Th e Parli am I tem a B ook with A rm
. .

en t o f B i rd s ,
s p or tra ye d i n
B alla d o f G uy an d C ol b ron d p ap er
M em oran dum; m
.
,

of th e G oose, th e y B oo k o f Kn i g hth oo d
T h e D i s putati on b e tween Hop e an d D e sp a i r a n d th e m a nne r o f m aki n g o f K n ights ;

o f Jus t s o f T o urn am
.

M er cha n ts . en ts ; fightin g i n
,

T h e L i fe o f S a i n t C hrystoph er L i s ts ; p a c e s h olden b y S oldi ers

A re d B ook tha t Per civ al R ob s ar t ga v e m
.

e a n d Cha ll e n g e s S ta tute s o f W ar a n d
o f th e M ee ds o f the M ass (l e R eg im in e P rin c ipum w or th
T h e La m I te m a B oo k o f n ew S ta tutes fr o m
.

en ta ti on o f Child Ip oti s .
, Ed
A P r a y er t o th e V ern icl e , war d th e IV
c al l e d th e A bb e y of th e Ho ly G h os t
I tem of N ov e m
.

i n qui re s, T ully d e S en ec tute i n 5 th b er E IV

whereof th ere i s no m
. . .
,
ore cl ear writin g
m
.

8 I te in qui res T ully or C yp o (S cip io) i 2

de Am
, ,

i citia,a l e ft with W il li a W or m b e h ere m e tio e d l eft with W illi amWor ce s t r

n n as
’

e ,

c ester wor th w it h th e ss i s t a c e o f J o h T ip t ft E r l of
m
wh o, a n n o , a
W orc e ster d J oh anPh re or Free o k of
n a, a n

th e ch smb e th us s uppli e d ? T h L
, ,

1 M ay Br i st ol tr sl ate d it
an

e a s l b el e D am
n ot
d l bele D m
a e a
.
,
4 Thi s bo o k De O th i s p oetic l e pis tl e i f ’

em b er r ight fromH e ct or t o O t h p rob ab ly

e
I re m
ea , a a
ge de q dy
my i s e er c lle d by th e m
n a s, a n a a , a . ,

e f Leg e d
o r W i sdomwh i s dd re sse d i th e I li d
’ ea ,
sau n ce c e n v a na o n ,

M i er
y e dit i o of Ch uc er th t I h e s ee n va o a n a
i
mi stake for S mium T hi s circum
n an n a a av n. ,

2
Q uery i f C yp i i s t fre que tly b th e t itl e of Q 9 st c e
i s laid h ol d of by s om
o no a o n n y 5 05 . an
,

S i pi i a pie c e which i s us u lly p r i t e d with th e

”
e Fre ch ti q u ry (for th e
De Am iciti a d p rob bly cc m
c on s , a n n an a
p i ed it i thi or igi l of this b oo k i s i Fre ch) t o p ro e th a t
m usc r ipt
’
an a a o an n s na n n v
,

G ree k w u d er sto o d i Fr c e e rli er th i s

I t i s c uri ous circ um mgi
an as n n an a an
3
a st c e th t this b oo k sh ould
an a usuall y i ‘
a n ed .
1 44 P A S T O N LE T T E R S .

LE (VII o f A pp end i x to v ol 1 1 p
’

T T E R C C C C X X X VI .
-
.

Th e s e v er s e s are in s erte d a s a sp e ci m
. . .

e of th e p oet r y o f a l ady s e n t a s a l etter t o a n obl e m an wh o was ab

fr omh er n d for wh o msh e appears t o h av e h ad a s i n c ere a ffe cti o
n

Th e th ought s c o n t a i n ed i n th e m
,

ma y o f th em atural n d te der a d some of th empre tty n d a ffectin g They a re c erta i ly or igin a

, a n .

n d wor d s m
n , n a n , n a . n
i n s e er a l pla c e s th e word s fir st wr itt e e s t r uck o u t ore t th e wr iter s s a tis fa ct i on i ’

a b ov e th e m th u s th e s i x th li n e i n th e fifth sta n za w as or igi a lly wr itt e n

v n ar , a o ns
: n

E r th en m ay I b ut thys y e sh al l n o t m y se s .

A n d th e n th us al tere d
Er I m y ylf b ut y ett y e sh all n o t m y s se s

S ev era l o th er s h av e s im
.
I
il a r alter a ti on s Th e y were wr itten e ith er i th e re ign o f H e n r y VI o r E dwar d
n d p a p r b e i n g b o th o f th a t a g e a n d th e p ap er m
. n .

th e w r iti g a r k i s use d up o n two o th er le tter s in th

c oll ec ti o n of th e for m
n a e -

,
er re ign .

Verses written by a L a d y in the reig n of Hen ry VI o r E dwa rd IV to a n a bsen t L ord with

mh
.
,

wh o s e w a s in lov e .

Mr r ight g oo d l ord , o s t k n ightly g en tl e m T h a t thi s r ud e bill sha ll p ut hi s el f i n pre ss, m

k n ight, T o seey our l or d ship o f h
'

U n t o y our g ra c e i n y o s t hu bl e w i s e mm m E re I m
y se l f ; b ut y e t y e s hall no t i ss m
m
I e c om mend, a s it i s due an d r ight ,
m
T o ha v e y h e a r t t omfore 6
y b ill I wis .

B e s ee chin g y ou at l ei sure to a dvi s e 1 W hich I c ommit d ll m

U p on thi s b ill, an d p a rd on i n e em p r i z e, m I to y o r h n d s d e mu
y wh o l e s er vic e
e n it y li s t
a
,
an a

ou
,

O f it I k eep t o h v e no m
n a as
, ,
G r o un d e d on fo lly, fo r la ck o f pr ovide n c e 7
,
o r e fr n ch i e a

T h n I h e r tl e ss s re ly m w i s t
, a s
U n to y our L or d s hip to wr ite with o ut lic en c e .
a u e

m i s with fe ver sh k e
a ,

But wh en a an a a , S a vi n g only tha t it b e as tr i s t8

N w hot w c o ld f ll e th by dv en t as a a ure, A n d t o y ou tr ue as e v er wa s he a r t, an d plai n,
H i n hi s m
o ,
no ,

e i n d c o j e ct r e will d t ke u an a T ill c r ue l d ea th d e par t 9 it up on twa i n

T h n ighe s t m
n , .

e e t o work hi s c re
M ore pa ti en tly hi s p a i n es t o en dur e
an
A n d r ight s o I , s o it you no t di s pl e a s e,
W r ite i n thi s wi s e y pa i n es t o a pp eas e
u , A di e u, di sp or t ; fa r e we ll , g oo d c o pa n y ; m
In al l thi s world th ere i s no j o y I ween,
m For th ere a s whil o I s ee with i ne eye m m
A l us ty 1 ° l or d l e api n g up on a g reen
.

F or when I c ount an d m ak e a re ck on i n g T h e s o il i s s ol e , no k n ights th ere b e s een,

B e twi x t my li fe my d e a th a d m y d e s i re n N o l a di e s walk there th e y were won t t o d one
m
, , ,
My li fe al as ! it s er v e th o f no thin g, A l as ! s o e fo lk d e p ar te d hen c e t oo s oon
S i n c e with y our par ti n g d e pa rte d m
.
,

me time ls o m en m ight a wa g er m
2
pl e s ure
W i shi n g y our presen c e s e tte th m
y a ; So a ak e ,
e on fire
But th en y ou r a b s en c e d o th m
, A n d with th e i r b o w s a fie ld h a v e it tri e d

m
,
y h e ar t s o c o ld,
T ha t for th e pa i n I no t 3 m
12
O r a t th e p a u e th e i r pl eas ure for t o tak e,
e wh ere t o h o ld .
T hen were the y l oos e th a t n ow s ta n d as ti e d
wh ere to thi s w or ld m
.

0 out on ab s en c e th ere fool s h a v e no g ra c e, I"n ot

13
a y b e a ppli e d ;

Im e an m F or al l g oo d cheer, on e v en a n d on m
,

ys el f nor y e t no wit t o gwye‘ orrow,

T h e mout o f p a i n, t o c om W hich then was ad e, n ow t urne th m m
,

e un t o tha t pl ac e ;
‘

e to
W here as p re s en c e m a
y s ha p e a rem e dy s orro w
F or all di sea s e n ow fie on m
.

y fo lly
F or I d es pa i re d amo f y our s oon m
, ,

ee ti n g
T ha t G o d I p ra y, m
, 5 R eadi n e ss [ Ra th er in th e crowd o r p ress )
e t o y o ur pres en c e b r i n g
. .

.
6 th e or igi al
[ In
To h e m y h ert t for m
,

F a re well m y l or d, for I m a y wr ite n o m

n

y b yl l I wy
to h e m
o s.
ore; av

S o tro ubl e d i s m
,
M e i g w thi k y heart t b efo e
my
an n e n av oo r
y h e a rt wi th he a vi ne ss ;
, ,

E n vy a l s o it gr i e v e th m em o s t s ore Ic e
7

Q u er y w h e th er this m
, , ar .

8
, ea s wful t r u ty n sorro or s
1C o sid er re flec t [ D p r t for d i id
9 It i s fre q ue tly use d i th e
it rhy m mse s b y S h k spere ]
n , . e a v e. n n
2A s s p lt i th e origi l p l
e n na , esy er, es ex a e n e a .

t l y wi h d y d fy er L i e ly d acti e i hi s e xer cise s

pl e tes th e rhythm)
1°

l b wy wh i h c o m
ac t es er a n . v , an v n .

3
[ N t i s u s e d h ere for k w not. It i s use d i th e 1
[I 1igi
s m S om e pla c e o f re so r t for th e g am
o no n n or na , o s, c .

e w y i th e l st st ) 12 e o f te is
[ I k w t S e p rec e di g c o l um ]
a a n a a n za . nn .

G uid e .
13 no no . e n n.
 E DW A R D V
L am
.

Fr o ma M S . in th e Ar chb i sh op s L ib ra ry
'
at b eth .
 P A STON LE T T E R S .
1 47

E DWA R D V — l 4 83 . .

HE only l e tt er giv en by S ir Joh n F enn Ja me s I T h e l e tter

i s a dd ress e d by R icha r d
d er thi s re ign i s n ot fr o mth e Pas ton C ol l ec
.

D uk e o f G l ou c e s ter
t o a Lor d N e vil e wh o s e
,
11 , b ut was furn i sh e d b y M r B r a n d wh o
.
, id en ti ty i s no t as c er ta i ne d ; there wa s a
1 n d it i n a M S c o ll e cti on o f p e dig ree s b e
. N e vil e L or d A b er g a v enn y b ut no L or d
,

J gin g t o S ir Wa lt er Bl a ck e tt o f N e wc as tl e, N e vil e at th e per i o d T he l e tter i s o f no

A C oppi e o f s om im p or ta n c e , m
l
.
,

d er th e titl e o f ‘
e l e tter s erely in vitin g th e s a id L or d
re foun d in Rabi e Ca s tl e [ i n D urham ] N e vil e t o c o m e i n ha s te, d e fens ibly ar
”
ter th e R e b e lli on t o sh ow th e fa s hi on r an g e d an d i s dat e d 1 l th 1 4 83 It
tim m
.
, ,

Th e d a te of th e M S i s o f
’
es
. . h as th erefore b een o itte d ) .
 R IC HA R D III
Fr oma P a in ti n g l ss b e l o gi g to Tri ity C ll e g e C m
.

b r idg e
p

on G a n n n o , a .
 P A S T O N LE TT E R S .
15 1

R IC HA R D III — l 4 8 3 . To 1 4 85 .

L E T T E R C C C C X XX VII — (I v ol 1 p . . . 1 . .

l etter re fers to the c m moti o s excit d i di li d t p arts f th e ki gdomb y th e D uk e f Buck i gh m '

wh from
o n e n er n O n o n a ,

di s c o te t c o spire d g i s t R ich ar d H e fail e d i hi s e terp r i e h we er d b e i g des erte d

d b e h e a de d J o h L r d H o wa r d ( de s c e d e d fr o m
o n n n a a n . n n s , o v , an , n
by his f rc e s fl d w tre chero u ly be t r y e d t k e
d c oh e ir of T h o m
o ,
e , as a s a . a n , an . n o n

M a rg aret d a ugh ter

, an as M o wb ray D uk e of N orfolk) w c re te d D uk e f N orfol k i , as a -
o n
1 48 3 I R II I
, . d w s l a in at th e b ttle o f Bos wo r th i 1 48 5
.
, an as a n .

To m y r ig ht w ll J hn P st n be this d li ered i h st
e o a o
,
e v n a e.

we ll b el ov e d fri end I c om men d me t o y e shall n ot lyse ( los ) y our lab our that
I t i s s o tha t th e Kenti shm
-
e
, ,
en b e up i n kno we th G o d wh o ha v e you in h i s k ee pi n g
tha t th e y will c om
.
,

an d sa y e an d W ritten at L on d on th e tenth da y o f O ctob er

I shall le t i f I m
.
,

ay . Your fr i en d,
ith al l dilig en c e J N O R FOLK
ye m c om
. .

ak e y ou re a dy a n d e hither a n d L on d o n ,

br in g with you s i x ta ll fe ll ows i n h a rne ss ; an d

,
Frid ay , l oth of O ctob er ,

1 483 . 1 R . III .

LET TE R C C C C X XX V III .
—(II v ol i i p . . . 3 17

p o te a t for th e pay m
We hav e h ere a n ord er o f th e D u k e o f S uffo l k e t o f umf m o e y which th e
u
D uk e h d prom ise d h i h o our sho uld b e p aid Thi s i s c om mo occ urre c e d c er t i ly t worth
n a n n , n a s o n

rec or di g i f it h ad t bee for th e th re at t th e d of it u der his w h a d which sh ows the de spoti s m

a on s n . a n n , an a n no

d th t th e far m
n , no n a en , n o n n ,

of the D uk e , an w l et t wi ll d t l e s e
a as a , an no on a .

T he Duke of S ufiolh to Tho m Jefi as

'

re s, o ur
y m
fa r er of M a un devills, g reetihg .

WE will an d s tra itly charg e you tha t y e c ont en t by v irtue O f thi s our wr itin g s igne d with our
he r eo f, for m han d, t o m
,

an d
p ay un t o th e br i n ge r
on e y a k e y o u d ue an d pl e i n
(f ull) all o w
em pl o y e d i n our h ous eh old three p oun d s , a n c e a t y our ne x t a cc o un t .

thi rt een s hilli n gs a n d four p en c e, for s uch A t W in gfiel d , th e firs t d ay O f May, i n th e

stuf f as we our own pers on h a v e pr om i s e d, a n d fir s t y e a r o f K in g R icha r d III .

n ot t o b e fa il e d up on our w or s hip

O f th e which sumo f 7 3s an d 4 d s o b y
S UF F OLK , an d fa il not on p a i n (of )
.
,

. .
l os in g o f y our far m .

you c on tente d an d p a id we w ill a n d a l s o

str a itly ch a r g e our a udit or s for th e ti m
,

e b e in g Win gfiel d ,
,
S at urda y l s t of May , ,

[ Th e We ald of K e nt ] 1 484 1 R III

. . .
1 52 I’A ST O N LE T T E R S .

N U M BE R c c c c xxxrx —( . mv ol . . 11. p .

T hi s a ddre ss of K in g R ich a r d to his p eopl e i s drawn up i n th e m os t artful m a n n er in or d er t o i n fla me th

min ds n ot on ly of th e multitude b ut o f the p eers bish ops dign ita r i e s a n d gre at m
,

en a n d to in duc e th
t o re s i st th e a ttempts of th e E ar l of Richm
. , , . ,

on d upo n th e c rown w ith a l l th e i r p ow er .

O n the ba ck of the p ap er in a n a n ci n t e ha n d is written ,

K en t S herifls
'

The opy of a L etter of K ing R icha rd III , p ersua d ing his subj ects to resis t Hen ry Tydder (T ud or),
whom
c

g f rom
.

a te rwa rds K ing o

f f E n la nd , a n d d ecla rin
g the sa id Hen ry wa s d escended .

R I C HA R D R
R icha r d & c , w ish eth h e alth : we c om o f thi s s a id real m th e s aid reb e ls an d tra ito r s
.

m
.
, ,

a n d y ou & c h a v e ch o s en t o b e th e i r c apta i n one Henr y

Foras m T yd d er 7 ( Tudor) s on o f E d m
.
,

uch as th e ki n g our s o v ere ign l or d un d T y d d er

m
, ,

h a th c er ta in k nowl edg e tha t P i er s B i s h o p o f s on of O wen T yd d er, which o f hi s a biti o us

E x e t er 1
, Ja
s p er T d d e r
2
( Tudo r) s on o f O wen an d i ns ati ab l e c o v e ti s e en croach eth an d u s urp
e th up on himth e nam
y
T y d d er, callin g hi m s el f E ar l o f Pe m b rok e e a n d titl e an d roya l
e s ta te o f thi s real mo f E ngla nd ; whereun t o
,

J o h n la te E a rl O f O x for d 3
an d S ir E d wa r d

h e ha th no m
,

W o d ev il e 4 w ith o th er div ers e hi s reb el s an d a nne r i n tere s t, r ight titl e or

c o l our a s e v er y m
, , ,

tr a it o r s, di sa bl e d an d a tta i nt e d by th e a uth or a n we ll kno we th ; for h e is

ity o f th e High C o ur t o f Pa rli am ent o f wh om d es c en de d o f b as ta rd bl oo d b o th o f fa th er s

,
’

many b e k nown for open murd erers a d v ow s ide an d o f mother s s ide ; for th e sa id O wen
, ,
'

terers (a d ulterers ) an d e x t o rti one r s , c o n tr ar y t o th e g ra nd fa th e r was b as ta r d b or n an d hi s

mo ther was d aughter unt o J ohn D uk e o f
, ,

th e pl eas ure o f G o d an d a ga i n s t all tr uth

h ono ur, an d na ture ha v e for sak en th e ir n a tur al S om e rs e t s on un t o Jo hn E a r l o f S o m
, , .

ers e t
co un t ry ta kin g th e mfir s t t o b e un d er t he s on un t o D am
, , ,

,
e Kath e rine S wyn ford an d o f ,

o b e i sa n c e o f th e D uk e o f B r e ta gne , a n d t o
5
the i r in d oub le a v ou tr y 8 g o tten ; whereby it
h imp rom i s e d c erta i n thi n gs w hich by h im e vid en tly a ppeare th tha t no titl e can nor m ay

i n him which fully i n ten d eth t o enter thi s

,

a n d hi s c o un cil were t ho u ght thi n g s t oo g re a tl y

u nn a tura l a n d ab o m i na bl e for th e mt o gran t re al mpro p os in g a c onque s t ; an d i f he s h oul d

,

an d p e r for m
, ,

o b s er v e, k eep n d th ere fore th e a chi e v e hi s fa l s e i n ten t an d p urp o s e e v er y

m man s li fe liv elih oo d an d g oods shall b e i n
, , a ,
’
sa e utt erly re fuse d .
, , ,

T h e sa id t ra it or s , s ee in g th e s a id d uk e an d hi s han d s , lib er ty a n d di s p os iti on ; wh e r eb y

hi s c oun cil would no t a id nor succ o ur th em s h o uld ens ue th e di sh er iti n g an d d es tructi on
,

nor fol l o w th e i r wa y s priv ily d e parte d out O f o f al l th e no bl e an d wors hip ful b l oo d o f thi s
his c ountry i n to F ran c e a n d th ere takin g th e m real mfor e v er, an d t o th e re s i s ta n c e a n d with
,

,
'

to b e un d er th e ob e is an c e o f th e k in g s an ci ent s tan din g wh e r eo f e v er y tr ue a n d n atura l

enem y, Char l e s 6 callin g him,
sel f Ki n g O f E n gli s hm a n b orn m us t la y to hi s h an d s for h i s

1 Pe t er C o urt n e y B i sh o p of E x e ter a ft er th e m
own s ure ty a n d we al .
is
c a rr ia g e o f the D uke of Bucki n ghams c o n spi racy A n d t o th e i n ten t tha t th e s a id Henr y T yd
, ,

d er m
’

fled i n to Breta gn e to th e E a rl of R ich m

,

on d wh ight th e r a th er a ch i e v e hi s fa l s e i n t en t
a fter h e b e cam e H en ry V IL p ro m
, o,

o t e d thi s p rel a t e a n d p urp o s e b y th e a id s uppor t, an d as s i s t

t o th e see of Win ch ester in 1 4 8 6 in which h e di e d an c e o f th e k in g s a n ci en t enem
,
,

F
'

y o f ran c e
‘
,

(he) hath c o v ena nt e d an d ba r ga in e d with him

in 1 4 9.2 ,

2 J as p er Tu d or d e H atfield h a l f b roth er to H e n r y -

VI c re a t e d D u k e o f B ed for d in 1 4 8 5 .
a nd all th e c o un cil o f Fran c e, to giv e u
p an d
3 J oh n d c Vere E arl f O x for d wh o h ad e s c a p ed
fro mt h e ca stl e of Ham me s re l e as e i n p er p e tuity all th e r igh t titl e an d
, o ,
, ,
.

4 S i r E d wa r d Wo d ev il e b roth er to th e
q u ee n of
7 H e n r y Tud or E a r l of R ich m
,

E dwa r d IV on d wh o i n 1 4 8 3
th e las t D uk e o f Bret a gn e was be c am
.
, , , ,

5 Fra ci s I I
n e K i n g o f E n g la n d & c b y th e titl e o f H e n r y
, .
, ,

o v erth ro wn b y Cha rle s VII I K i n g Of Fra n c e a n d VI I He d ied in

m
.
, .

die d in 1 4 88 3 T hi s e ith er e an s d o ubl e dult er y th at i s a

.
,

6 Ch a rl e s VIII a s c e n d e d th e th ro n e i n 1 4 8 3 and ad u lter y o n b oth s ide s ; o r i ndubit a bl e un do ubte d .

.
, ,

died i n 1 4 98 . a dulter y .
 "

15 4 P A S T O N LE T T E R S .

L E T T E R C C C C XL A— (IV v ol 1 1 p . . . .

J oh P to E q w S h er iff o f N o folk d S uff o lk th e cc e ssi o f H e y VIL ; h e m ost p

th erefore e tere d up o th t fli e t M ich el ms 1 4 8 4 2 R I II thi s l etter b e i g d t d th e
n as n, s as r an
'

.
, on a n o nr
n n a o c a a a , , . .
, n a e on
Oc tob er .

To our trusty a nd well be loved J hn Pa ston S herifi of S ufiolk a n d N or

'

f olk -
o
, .

The Duke o
‘

f S uflolh
“
.

R I G H T w ell b el o v e d, we gr ee t y ou w ell ; an d our s a id s o v ere ign l or d s na m e stra ightly ’

foras m a n d c om man d y ou, tha t i n all p ossibl

-

uch as th e kin g our s o v ere ign l or d

ha th l a te a dd ress e d hi s l e tter s o f c o m mi ss i on y e d o (ca us e) this to b e proclaime
u n d er hi s se a l un t o u s re citi n g b y th e s am e ,
.

th a t hi s high ness un d ers ta n din g c e rta i n o f hi s

reb el s as s o ci a t e t o his old enem i e s o f S c ot
l an d i n ten din g no t on ly t o t ro ub l e hi s p e a c e
th e nobl e s a n d subj e cts o f this real mt o d e
, ,

s tro y, th e i r g oo ds and p oss ess i on s t o s p o il a n d ,

re wa r d a t th e i r lib e rti e s, b ut al s o th e la ws o f
thi s l a n d an d h oly chur ch t o s ubv er t
O ur s a i d m
.

o s t dre a d s o v ere ign l or d as a

hi s s a id ene m
,
1
Chr i s tian pr in c e i e s an d
reb els t o re s is t ha th a ss igne d an d c om man de d fa ilin g hereof as y e will a nswer
us t o d o all m
, ,

a nner an d o th er s d efen G iv en a t L on g S tra tton,3 th

s ib l e a bl e t o l ab our, a s well ar ch e r s as h ob O cto b er
b e ll er s ‘2 t o c om e b e fore us an d charg e th em m
.

A n d furth er ore tha t y e giv e

a rm e d an d a r ra y e d e v er y m
,

an a ft er our s er va n t thi s br i n g er as thi s

re c e iv e d th e k i n g s c om mi ss i on at four i n
,
’
hi s d e gree an d p o we r t o atten d up on hi s p er
s on an d up on us , t o d o h ims er vic e, i n d e fen c e a fternoon
,

a s we ll o f th e ch ur ch as o f th e s a id no bl e s S U F F OLK, y o ur fr i en d
‘

a n d s ubj e ct s o f thi s r e al m a ga i ns t h is s a id
.

Lon g S tra tton

enem
,

i e s an d reb el s W e th erefore will an d i n W e d n e s da y 2oth o f Octobe r

,
. ,

2 R I II
.
1 48 4 . . .

L E T T E R C C C C X L I —(V v ol ii p . . . . .

W h ere c qu i te d with th e di er si o s d mus e me t ll o we d i th e h ous e s o f the obility d ge

d ur i g th e joy o us se o of Ch r is tms W see lik e wi e th e re sp e ct p id t o th e m em
e are a a n v n an a n s a n n an n
or y of th e h e a d 0
f m ily whe t th e Ch r i stm foll owi g hi s d e th o e f the m ore m
n as n a . e s a
erry oisy
p rm
a , n, a as n a , n n o or n
itt ed
m
e .

To y ight w rhipf l h ors u usba n d , J ohn P a s ton .

R I G H T worsh ip ful husb an d, I re c ommen d m e

un t o y ou : pl eas e it y o u t o w ee t tha t I s en t
i n Chr i s tm as ne x t fo ll o wi n g a ft er th e d e c e as e

of m
1 Th e l etter i s defe ct iv e i n th os e pl ac e s wh ere do t s
a re u se d y l or d h er hu sb an d ; an d sh e sa id tha t
2 Ho b l ers or h ob il ers s o c all e d fro m
.

th e h o b bi e s th ere were none di sgui s in gs , nor ha rpi n g, nor

o r di m in uti e h orses o n which th e y ro de ; os m
, , ,

ore l uti n g nor s i n gin g nor none l oud di sp orts ;

ro b ab l y fro m
v

h obilles th e sh ort ja ck et s th e y w ere

, ,

The y were light h ors em b ut pla yi n g a t th e ta b l e s a n d ch e ss, a n d c ar ds ;

.
,

en a n d prov e d of c o n s ider ,

a b l e s e rv ic e to E d w a r d III ru bi s Fre n ch e x p e diti o n s

. . .
s uch di s p or ts s h e gav e h er fo lk s l eav e t o pla y
B y th e ten ure of th e i r l an ds th e y w ere o blige d t o an d non e o th er
main ta in thei r n agS an d were expe cted to be in re a
.

.
Y our s on did his e rran d r ight we ll , as y e
d in ess w h e n s udden i n a s i on s ha ppe n e d t o s prea d
im mediate i n telligen c e o f th e sam
, v ,

e th r oughout th e
c oun t ry .
4 W idow of Willia mL ev el , L or d M o rl e y , wh o
3 In N o rfo l k . die d th e 23 rd o f J uly . 1 47 5 .
 P A S T O N LE TT E R S . 1 55

fter thi s I s en t y our y oun ger fore I s upp os e h e shall no t abid e, an d I trow
y e s ha ll b e fa i n t o p urv e y a no th er m
a .

La dy S tapl e ton 1 an d sh e s a id a o an for

my La dy M orle y s saying in that ; S ym

,
’
on d for y e are ne v er th e nearer a wis e

man for him

,

h a d s een us e d in pla c e s o f worshi p

I a ms or ry th a t y e shall no t at h om
.

e b e for
s om e Chri s tm as

I pra y y ou tha t y e w ill c om

on .

at C a i s ter t o k ee p y our b uttery , for th e e as s oon as y e

tha t y e l e ft with m e w ill no t take up on may ; I shall thin k mys elf hal f a wid ow b e
t o b rev eSE da ily as y e c om mand e d ; h e c a us e y e sha ll no t b e a t h om
,

e & c G o d ha v e
W r itt en on Chr i s tm
.
,

h e h ath no t us e d t o giv e a re ck on in g
’
y ou i n hi s k eepi n g as
.

er o f br ea d nor al e til l a t th e week s en d e v en

B y y our s erv an t an d b ead wom
.
,

h e s a ith h e wot (kn ows) well tha t h e an ,

ot c on d en eth (g ive con ten t), an d th ere MARG E RY P AS T ON .

Fr id y
a , 24 th of De ce m
b er ,

14 8 4 . 2 R III . .

LE T T E R C C C C X L II.— (I . v ol v p . . .

[ T H I l e tter i s fr o mD am
S e E li zab e th Browne t on c on c e r ni n g th e m a tter s i n di s pute b e tween

(form erly Poyn in gs ), th e daughter o f S ir W il h iman d hi s A s W Pas ton i s i n n o

liamPaston th e j udg e t o her ne ph ew John
.

, way all ud e d to through out th e l e tter ,we d o

Pa s ton Fenn supp o s e s it t o ha v e b een wr itten no t s ee the val ue o f thi s guess but Fenn a d
to di s pr o v e s om m mires s o i ndis cr imi natingly th e chi ef c ontr i
.
,

e as s er ti on o f W illia P a s
butors t o hi s C o ll e cti on tha t h e en ters , on too
man y o ccas i ons in to th e p e tty fee lings o f di s
,

1 S ir M il e s S ta pl eton di e d in
m
1 4 66 . ,
9 To b rev e i s t o a k e up a n a cc o un t Ho w lik e which th e y app ear t o ha v e en ter ta i ne d for
strictly this c ustom of breoing wa s form W illia mPa ston E x c ept c om plim
.

erly o bs er e d
a y b e k n o wn fro m
en ts th e
i n gre a t h o us e s m
v

o n e of th e d a i ly
,
.

r ul e s e n forc e d in th e fam ily o f th e fifth E arl of foll o win g i s the l e tter W h ereas y e d e s ire
N or th u m b erl an d F ur s t th at th e s aid cl erki s b e me to send y ou wor d whether my brother
J oh n Pas t on y our fa th er, wa s with m
.
,

d a yl y at th e brevy g e e v ery d a y b y v i i o f th e cl ok e in
y fath er
th e m
n

wh omG o d a ss o il , d uri n g hi s l as t
,
A n d th eire to breve e v er y offic er a c
co rd yn g e a s th e cus to m
o rn yn ge
a n d hi s
.

s ick ne ss a n d a t th e tim
e i s u n t o h al f h o w re a fter v iii
,

o f th e cl o k e A n d th at th eire be n o b ra ck fa sts dely e o f hi s de c eas e a t S t

v ere t un t o th e t m
.
.

y e th at a ll th e o fli cers h av e br aved
”
B ride s or no t N eph ew I a s certa i n you
’

up on m
—S ee Household Boo k p 5 9 A s thi s l e tter h as n o
.
.
,

y fa ith an d p oor h ono ur tha t I was

da te of the y ea r I h a v e s om
, . .

e doub ts wh ere to pl ac e
m
,

it un l ss we m fourteen fi fteen y e a r, or s i xt een y ear o ld an d

. .

a y s upp o s e th a t th e s a e res p e ct
at S t Br id e s with m y fa th er an d m y m
, ,

wo u ld b e p a id t o th e m em ory of M a rgaret m
, e

oth er of
’
o ther,
wh e n m y fa th er s la s t s ick ne ss t ook himan d
.
,

J Pa ston wh o w s an he ire ss an d di e d i n 1 4 8 4 an d ’

w h os e will was p rov e d o n th e 1 8 th o f De c e m

. . a , , ,
ber in till h e was d e c eas e d ; an d I da re d ep o s e b e
fore an y p e r s on h onour ab l e th at, wh en m
th at yea r If I c ould h av e pl a c ed it earli er I s h o uld
y fa
.
,

h av e fi x e d up on th e de ath of S ir J ohn Pas ton in

N o v em b er 1 4 7 9 as th e tim th er s l as t s ick ne ss t oo k himm
,

e of it s b e i n g written b ut
'

y bro th er y o ur
th e p re s en t J P as ton wa s n ot m fa th er was i n N or folk, a n d h e c am
, ,
a rr i ed till 1 4 7 7 an d e no t to
L on d on till a fter tha t m
.
,
his e ld e s t son b ein g born in 1 4 7 8 w a s n ow on ly in
his se v en th y e a r which m y fath er was d e c eas e d
,

an d tha t c an S ir W illi amGeeti n g an d Jam

ight b e th e cas e a s the e x
, ,

pre ss i on tha t h e de de h e se h eyrn e rygh t wel e es

G re shamre c o rd for th e y b o th were m
”

im plie s hi s b e in g v er y y oun g .
, y fa
1 56 PA S T O N LE TT E R S .

cl e rk s a t th a t time ” T h ere are two 2 o f S e ptem b er, the fir s t y ea r of th e

'

th er s .

d a te s t o th e l e tter th e T hurs d ay n e x t b e fore K in g Henr y th e S ev en t I t was

W hits und ay the s e c on d y ear of K i n g R icha r d w r itten on the fir s t da te b ut no t tran sm
,

, ,

th e T hi r d ” ( Ma y 1 9, w hich i s s c r a tch e d till t he s e c on d a p roo f tha t its c on ten ts w ,

through wi th a p en ; a n d th en th e 23rd no t c ons id ere d v er y ur g ent ]

LE T T E R c cc c x m rr — (v r . v o l ii p
. . .

H e ry E rl of Richm
n , a o d l a de d up o S tur d y th e sth of Aug ust 1 48 5 t M il for d H
n , n n a a i S uth W , , a a v en n o al
thi s l e tter th erefore c o uld t b e wr itt e b efore th e Fr id ay or S turd y foll owi g ( 1 2th or 1 3 th
no n a a n
R ich a r d pp e r s t t o h a e re g rd e d th e l a di g f th e E
so b e c am
a a no v a n n o
e ; for l i t p r i c e h e c er t a i ly wo uld h
p oss ible ; d h o we er g re t h i e er ati m
on , as a va an n , n

an v ight h e b ee
a s v n on av
y et hi fe ars of l os i g a c ro w for th e p o ssess io of whi h h e
d wo uld h a e p rom pte d h imt o bre a k i up o th ser ic e s d u
s n n , n c

s till gre ter

few d a y s for h e j o i e d hi s ro y al m
a , an v n n e v e
N orfolk s u r i e d th e wr iti g of thi s l e tt er o ly a s ter d
th e gu rd of hi s a r m
v v n n a , n , an

v an a y i the field of Bo sworth wh ere h e f ll M o d y th z2ud of Aug us t li

n , e on n a e , va au
fi ghti g fo r hi s s o ere ig l or d d b e efact or
n v n an n .

m y w ll b l ed f i d J h
To e -
e ov r en o n P a ston , be this bill delivered in ha ste .

W E LL BE LOV E D fri en d I c omme d m to y e ou ; an d tha t y e b r in g with you s u ch c om pan y

tall m en a s y e m a y g oo dly m
n

ak e a t m
-
,
’
l e ttin g y o u t o un d er s tan d tha t the ki ng s
enem
y
i e s b e a lan d an d tha t th e ki n g wo uld and ch a r g e, b e s i d e s tha t which y e ha v e
mised th e king ; an d , I pra y you ord
-

ha v e s e t forth as up on M on d a y b ut o n ly for
the j ck e ts o f m
m
, ,

y liv er y a n d I s hall c o
1 3
o ur Lady d ay ; b ut for c er ta i n h e g oe th for a

war d as u p on T ue s da y for a s er v an t o f m ten t yo u at y our m ee tin g with m

-

i ne e
b rou ght t o m
.
.
,

e th e c er ta i n ty Y o ur l o v er
W h er e fore I pra y y ou tha t y e m
.
,

ee t with J N on ro i K
me at B ury 2 fo r b y the gra ce o f G od I p ur
. .

, , , B etween th e 8 th a n d 1 5 th o f A ug us t ,
p o s e t o li e at B ur y as up on T ue s d a y n ight ; 1 485 . 3 R III
. .

Fro mthi s it a ppe a r s tha t th e r o ya l a r m y wh en

Th e Ass u m em b o di e d wa s cl oth e d i n ja ck e ts o t th e li v er y o f th e i
,
1 pti on of our Lady 1 5 th of A ug ust ‘

B ur y S t E d m re spec tiv e g re at l ord s a n d c o m m

, . ,

a n d er s
.

un d s in S uflo lk
’
2
'

. . .
,
1 62 IN DE X .

Bill ( milita ry w ea p on ) cost of p oli shin g n 82 , , . i . 93 proceedi n gs

; furth er
Bl ack cl oth p rice o f i 8 9 , , . o f p rocee di ng s resp ectin g .

Bo l eyn Sir J e ffrey n otice o f i 55 st ggested fo r th e p a ym en t

é
, , .
,
n ot ice o f th e fa mil o f ii 20 y , . l 0
Bo n dm an a dj udi ca ti on resp ectin g a i 1 68
Bon n ets for m
.
, ,

en n otice o f ii 1 8 . , .

Bo n v il e L or d a n d th e Ea r l o f Dev o n sh i re v a ria n ce
, , ,

betw een i 68 q et sta te

1 4 8 ; un ui
Bo o k o f th e M eetin g o f th e D uk e a n d o f th e E m
.
,

Fren ch ki n g to the
p ero r ii 86 , . , Call e Rich a rd o bjectio
, ,

B oo kbin di n g cha rg es for u 1 6 , , . gery P a ston with ,

Boo k s b orrowed n otice respecti n g ii 87 ; pr ice o f

, , , . wi th h is wi fe ii ,
.

a p a rson s li b ra ry o f ii 9 1 ca ta log ue o f J oh n
’
.
,

P a s to u s ii 1 4 2
’
, . a wa y fro m h erm other s h use id divorce ’
o ,

Boul o gn e s uper stiti on respect i n g n 1 13

, , . to b e a tte mp ted ii 30 ,
.

Bo urde ux a stapl e o f wi n e i 148 t

a , , . Cambridge J udge Yelv erton s cha rge a t th e ass
,
’

B owet S i r N ich o l a ppe a l sue d b y a ga i n st Robert

, , , at i 1 5 1 ;, settl e m en t o f W lter P as to n a t
. a

O fford i 7 5 ,
. un iversity o f ii 1 01 , .

B rackley J oh n otice o f i 99 C an dlesticks w a n ti n g i 1 69

B ra n don Wil l ia mn otice o f th e outra ges o f 11 1 28
n , .
, .
, ,

, ,‘ , . Ca n terbury n o tice o f a pilgr im age to 1 1 65

, , .

B ravin g expl an ati on o f th e ter m ii 1 55 C arli sl e si ege o f i 13 1 ; Q ueen o f S cots receive

Brom h o l ma pplica ti on for ti mb er fo r th e re pa i r o f
. .
, , , ,

,
at i 1 66, .

th e P riory o f i 1 1 5 ; a livery b ough t in ii ,

.
“ ”
, . Carriers n o tice of i xv , , .

38 ; to mb o f th e P astous i n th e ch urch o f ii 64 ,
. C arryi n g co st o f ii 86 , , .

ch urch to mb o f S i r W P a sto n a t n otice , .

, Cassell n otice o f th e b urn in g of n 1 17
, , .

re sp ectin g ii 1 24 127 ; co st o f des k s in th e

,
.
, Chan cery a tta chm en t o ut o f ii 6
, ,
.

ch o i r o f ii 1 27 , . Ch a pl ain shi p of Ca i ster given to th e queen s ch ap ’

B rug es festi viti es a t on th e m a rriag e of th e D uk e o f

, , lain ii 1 4 ; v a l ue o f id
, .
,
.

B urgun dy ii 9 , . Ch apm a n curio us accusati on aga i n st o f bribery a n

, ,
'

B russels tr uc e m a de a t b etween th e D uk e o f Bur

, , s la n d er i 1 64 .
,
g un dy a n d th e Fren ch ki n g ii 78 , . C h a rd eqweyn s as a m e dici n e for b a d a ir i 40 ,
.

B ur gesses curio us n otice o f places n eglecti n g th eir

. Charles VII o f F ran ce dea th o f i 1 46 .
, ,
.

righ t to sen d to p a rliam en t ii 7 1 , , . O b erb ur g t ak en by th e Fren ch i 21 , .

B urgun dy embas sy fro m i 90 1 5 1

, , . , Ch eshire comm on risen in i 1 78,
s
,
.

D uk e o f m a rriag e o f th e with M a rgaret , , , Ch eve d ay n o tice o f i 14 8

-
, , .

s i ster o f E dw a rd I V
ii 9 ; s pl e n do ur o f th e .
, . Ch e isan ce n o ti ce o f i 1 80
v
, ,
.

co urt o f ii 10 ; n otice o f th e D uk e an d D uchess

,
. Childerm as d a y n otice o f a sup ers titio n respec tin
-

o f ii 7 5 death o f th e D uk e o f ii 1 03 i 1 32
Ch ris tm
, . , . .

Bury a ssi zes a t i 17 6

, ,
. as n o tice o f th e k ee pi n g o f 1
,
66 festivi ti es ,
1.

a t i 1 21 . m a n n er o f keepi n g ii 154
.
,
.

’
rebellion accoun t o f i 21 ; s om e pro ceedin gs Ch urc preferme n t q ualifica ti on s req ui re d fo r u
h
C A DB s , , .
, . .

con n ec ted wi th i 3 1 , . 12 )
C aister claim o f th e D uk e of Norfolk to assert ed
, , , Cl aren ce D uk e o f rewar d for th e a ppreh en sion o f
, , ,

i 132 ; pri es ts o f to be look e d to i 1 3 9 ; a p

. , , . i 24 ; j o i ns h is brother E dw ard IV a fter h is
. .

p o in tm e n t of E dward IV for th e foun da tion o f . lan di n g a t R uv ens p ur ii 59 ; n otice o f th e ,

.

a co ll e ge a t i 182 ; imp ortan ce o f i n t im e o f , . , gro un d o f di sse s ion b tween the D uk e o f an d n e ,

w ar ii 5 ; e xp ecte d atta c k up o n ii 1 1 ; p re
, . . . h is broth er th e Duk e o f Gl o ucester ii 67 ,
.

p a ra ti o n s fo r th e d e fen ce o f ii 1 2 ; co urts t o . . Clerk of th e ki tch en curio us q ua lifica ti on s for n , , .

b e h eld by th e D uk e o f N orfolk f o r ii 24 ; , . 97
term s pro p o sed a s to by th e D uk e o f N orfolk , , Cl ock s rep a ired by pr iests n otice o f u 4 5 , , .

n ot accepta bl e to S ir J P as to n ii 32 ; b ut an y .
, . Cl oth s arci ty of in S uffolk a n d N orfolk i 69
,
c , , .

term s to be accepted ra th er tha n en dan ger h is o f go ld fo r cov erin g a b o dy or h earse p rice ,

br th er s li fe ii 33 : distress o f the be i eg ed i n
'
o f ii 95 1 00
ii 34 ; m
o ,
. s , . .
,

. en kille d a t ii id 4 2 ; J o h n P a sto n , . .
, Cloth es n o tice of th e sort w a n ted at E ton Co ll ege
, ,

e n courag ed to defen d ii 3 7 ; letter o f th e . . ii 1 29 .

D uke o f N orfolk on th e s urre n d er o f ii 4 0 ; , . Cold m eth o d o f tre a tmen t for n 94

, , .

letters o f J oh n P as to n o n the sam e occ i o n ii id as

,
. Collars o f go ld a ct regulatin g th e wea ri n g o f i 177
, , .

sta te o f ii 43 ; in dictm en t o f J o hn P as to n Collec tor o f taxes request to b e relieve d fro m th e

for sh ooti n g tw o m
41 , .
,

en a t ii 4 8 ; n egotiatio n s , .
o ffice o f ii 7 6 . .

respectin g ii 7 0 ; farth er n ego ti a ti on s fo r th e

, . Co llege opin i on s as to th e place o f foun di n g S ir J
.
.

p ossess i on o f ii 7 3 ; tak en p oss ssion o f by , . e Fa sto l f s ii 5

'

, .

S ir J P asto n on th e d ea th o f th e D uke o f Comba t desire o f J oh n Bern ey for th e kin g s licen ce ’

.
,

N orfolk ii 95 ; cost o f the decree fo r th e resti

, . fo r a i n gl e i 1 3 5 s ,
.

t ution o f ii 1 00 ,
. Commi ssion of the pe ace prop os ed ch an ges in i , , .

Co llege desire o f Fas tolf for th e foun d atio n 1 78 to i n q uire why th e N o rfolk gen try did n o t
o f i 92 ; l a rg e s um
'
,

, . requi red fo r a l i ce nce for , a tten d th e ki n g i 18 1 , .

 I N DE X .
1 63

E AST L s xn a mth m or , e an o f, h ow recov ere d froma

sen t pro p urch a ser i 1 59 , .

E a s terli n gs n otice o f , a na val en gagemen t with th e ,

S ir J o hn ii s 1
m m
.

E b ersh a , th e tran scriber n otice

or E b esh a W, , .
,

o f ii 7 ; bill
,
. tr ibi n g a n d writi n g ii 1 5
o f, fo r a n sc r , .

d in b urgh Re vi opi i o as to th e p ubli cati on

ew, n n o f,
of hi to ric doc m e t i xiii
s al u n s, .

e m urde r o f E ducati o n se veriti es pra ctis ed in i 4 9 ; o f y o un g

, ,
.

wo men n otice o f ii 8 , , .

E dw ard I V p ortra i t o f i 1 26 ; en try o f i n to Lo n

.
, ,
.

do ii 7 rep orted di ssen si o n s i u th e f mily o f

n , . a ,

rd ; p ro gress o f th ro ugh N orf lk ii 22 ; deol o , . a

rati on of a s to n ot i terferin g with l a w proceed

, n

in a ddress i n gs ii 23 ; l etters o f creden ce fro m it 5 0

,
.
, .

P ri n e s on o f Hen ry VI v a ryin g accoun ts

c , .
,
o f th e m urd er o f ii 59 , .

V p o rtrai t o f ii 1 46 .
, , .

E l ecti on i n trig ues n o tice f 1 1 5 6 ; fea st a t N or

'

, o , .

wich cost o f a ii 70 , . .

E li z b eth a ft erWa rd S q ueen o f Hen ry VIL birth o f

a ,
'

, ,

ii 3 .

D uchess o f S uffo lk a utogra ph letter o f , ,

a dmira l ii 14 1 .

E mbr cery request o f th e a s sista n c e o f th e D uke o f

a ,

E a l o f War
r N o rfo lk fo r the p un i shm en t o f i 97 ,
.

o f S t A lba n s , E gla n d g rea t sickn ess i n th e to w n s o f ii 63

’
. n . ,
.

E n igm ati ca l l etter i 1 57 . .

r th e defen ce E to n C o ll e ge ot ice res pecti n g u 121 122 , n

,
.
,

E xch eq uer ta lly n otice o f i 7 0 , , .

E xeter D uke o f cla im s S ir J F a stol f s pla ce in

'

, , .

AL L IN G , W .
, p etiti on of a ga i n s t S ir W . P as ton i , .
S o uthw rk i 1 02 a ,
.

X X IV E xigen t writ o f n otice o f i 7 5

, , , .

t
a es a n d ci n n a m on to b e p urch a se d i 1 17 ; da tes , .

to b e p urch a sed ii 44 ; peculi a r use o f ii 1 21 ,

. , . FA S T O L F , S ir o n l etter o f th a n k s fo r ri gh tful
Jh ,

y dea th o f i n th e si e ge o f Ca i ster ii 34 37 vo r l w uit i 9 ; o ath o f i 20 ; J

”
aub en e , , ,
. . fa u s in a a s , . , . .

a ugh ters o f g en tl em en n o t bro ught up a t th e i r o wn y rg d a cc use him o f trea son i 21 3 1 ;

P a n u e to ,
.
,

h om es ii 8 1 7 ,
.
, a n n o un ce m e t o f h is i n ten ti n to r eside a t n o

eacon s vestmen t use to b e m ad e o f n 8 0 C ist r i 43 ; spiri te d beha vio ur o f i 57 ; de

'
"

, , . a e , .
,
.

ch i s a n i n so lven t s effects to b e pro p orti o n ally c l ara ti o n o f c sts o f d ue t o him fro m th e ki n g

’
o

i 7 1—7 4 ; ch aracter o f i 7 5 ; cco un ts il l st ate

, , ,

divided fo r th e p a ym en t o f ii 67 68
efam
, .
, .
,
. a ,

a tio n curi o us S pecim e n o f i

, 1 35 ,
. of i 79 8 0 ; a udi to s p ro p osed i 80 ; losses
, .
,
r , .

e n ye T h o m as co mmi ssio n to try th e m urderers

s, , by m erch a n di zi ng i 8 1 ; l a w bu i n es s f i 96 ; . .
-
s o , .

o f i 128, . dea th a n d bi gra phica l n otice o f i 1 00 ; d is o ,

.

creh am di sp ute b etw een th e vicar o f an d M aster

'
, , p os ition o f th e g ods of i 1 02 ; ad vice o f the o , .

Cons ta n tin e D a lby settled i 1 8 , , . Bi sh o p o f Wi n ch ster co ncern i n g h is g o ods i e . .

'ev ic es f r th e n eck n ot ice o f i 4 0

o , , . 1 03 ; b ur i l o f id ; Bo o k o f th e V a li a n t Act s
a , .

tev o n sh ire E arl o f an d L ord Bon il e v ari n ce

, ,
V , a o f in F ra n c e i 1 5 2 ; co mmi ssi o n a pp oin ted to
, , .

be tween i 68 . . i n q ui re i n to th e disputes res pecti n g th e estates

lan din g of th e Co urtn eys in n 51 , . o f i 1 61 ,
testi mon y of Friar Mo wgh t a s to h is
.

'i n n er curi ous ex a mpl e o f th e m yor

, of N orwi ch a will ii 2 1 ,
.

sen di g h is o wn di n n er to the p ers o n h e was vis i t

n T h o m a s n otice of i 54 ; m a rri a g e o f wi th , . . ,

in g i 1 85 o n e of J P a sto u s da ugh te rs p r p ose d i 55 ;

'

, . .
, o , .

par ty of Joh n P as ton u 23 ,

. a pplica t i on o f h is m o th er r esp e cti n g th e w ar d
)isseisin n otice o f th e l a w a s to ii 34
, ,
. ship o f i 1 93 ; e xp ected a ttac k o f up o n Ca ister
, .
,

tistrai n ts acco un t o f sever a l ii 1 38 ii 1 1

Feed m
.
. , .

Distress illega l n otice o f ii 8

, , ,
. en n o tice o f i 1 48 ; summ on e d to a w ai t on
, , .

)is tresses tum ul tuo us m an n er in which th ey w ere

, t h e ki n g i 1 75 , .

m ad e i 1 4 0 , . F elbri g g L a dy di fferen ces between a n d John P as

, , ,

)oubl ets w orste d require d for i 1 55

, , . t o n i 29 , .

) o ugl as J a m s E a rl o f n oti e o f i 1 66
,
e , ,
c , . F el b rigge S ir J oh n br uta l b eh a vi our o f to a l a dy
, , ,

) r a yton pre se n ta t io n to th e livin g o f d i s ruted i 1 09

,
i , . in m a ki n g a di tress on so m e di sp ute d p remi s es s .

presen tati on to th e livin g o f requested i 1 50 ; ,

. i 1 9 4 ; offers J P a ston on e h un dre d m ar ks for
. .

di stra i n t at i 1 86 h i a ss i sta nce i 1 95

) urh a mE dw a r d IV a rrives a t i 1 7 2
, . s , .

, . , . Fem a l e educa tio n n otice resp ecti n g i 34 , , .

m2
) war t n o tice of a T urkish ii 46
‘

, . . F e n n S ir J ohn dates of his p ublicati on o f P a ston

, ,
164 IN D E X .

L etters i xiii ; h is opi n i ons ou th e state of Ha ub er geon n otice o f i 5 1

'

. . .
, , ,

s oci ety con te sted i xviii , . Hauteyn J oh n p et i ti o n o f for co un sel to

, , ,

Fi eri facia s process un der a writ o f i 1 67

, . .
poi n te d him a ga in s t A gn es P a sto n for
Fi n es n otice of th e le vyi n g o f ii 49
, , . co v e y f th e m an or o f O xn ea d i 7
r o
,
.

Fleet asse mbling o f a to assist Hen ry VI i 147

, , .
, . . Ha wk t ,ssn ss o f th e on e s en t to J .

P r i son l etter fro m a p ri so n er i n co mpl a i n i n g

, , ii 7w4 or hle e
.

o f o ppre ss i o n i 42 ; impriso n m ent of J hn Ha wk s lifleren t sorts o f n otice d ii 7 1

'

Hem
. . o c , , .
,

P a ston i n i 1 92 ; de liv ered fro m i d n l e s H a ll forc ibl e e n try upon

’
, . , . a , ,

Flemi gs destructi on of at Wa xh a m i 3
Fl o w erd ew rector o f Dra yt o n process reco m m
n , , .

, en ded ,

fo r depr ivin g him o fth e recto ry i 1 87

m
.
,

F o rgeri es o tices o f s o m e i 25 , .

Fortun e tell er or proph et n otice of a n 76

-

. , , .

F ran ce a n ticip ate d i n va si on fro m ii 52 ; kin g of

, , . ,

pilgr im a ge of to S p ain i 14 8 ; n ot ice of the , , .

w ars in ii 1 17 , .

F re n ch a pp ea r n ce of th e on th e coas t o f Norfolk
, a , . Q uee n M arga ret fligh t o f i n to S , ,

i 86 ; a n d p oetry in str ucti on ta k en i n i 94 ; VIl n otice o f th e l a n di n g o f

emba ssy n otice respectin g ii 88 ; K i n g em
.
. , . , ,
,

, , . , Herrin gs p rice o f i 5 7 , ,
.

b a ssy to i 1 46 ; K i n g an d Kin g o f Fran ce

, .
, , He ven i n gha m S ir J ohn captai n o f , ,

careful di stincti on in th e use of th e titles ii 1 0 N orfolk s forces a ga in st Ca ister

'
.
,

M S b oo ks i n qui ry resp ectin g ii 7

.
, , .
posa ls o f fo r a n acco mm oda tion ,
Frere Willi a m editor of la st v ol um e o f P a ston
, ,
zd

L etters i xiii , .

F ri eze to b e p urc hase d i 89 , .

Fun eral ch arges excep ti ons to n 68 . , .

GE A N E , m e dica te d treacl e n otice o f i 200 ; m er

a , , .

ch a n t s mark s o n id ’
, .

G en eva or gin n otice o f i 1 99

Gloucester H um
.
, , ,

phrey P lan ta gen et D uk e o f n otice

. . ,

of i xxi ,
.

D uk e o f groun d o f di ssen si on b etw een

hi man d h is bro th er Cl aren ce ii 67
,

an d , .

Q 1ar n ce con ten ti on s b et w een th e D uke s o f recti ons for th e p urchase o f a u 55 price o f
§
.
, , ,

n . 7 ii 67 : desira bl e qua liti es of a ii 1 09 ; price

.
, .

ret
Gl o y s . p i s an d con fessor qua rre l o f with J oh n , , a ii 1 1 7 .

t
P as o n , ii 69 . h arn ess price to b e pa id for n 45 , ,
.

G sh a wk ea rn est desi re for on e u 72 Horses bo ugh t a t S t Fai th s fa ir n ear Norwi ch

Go wn co st o f tem
'
o , . 1 4
, .
,
p Hen VIl i 2 1 8s
Gow ns m en s n otic e of i 83 ; n oti ce o f th e m m
com
.
, , . .
, .

’
Hosier at a f ars Bl ck r i i ss ion fo r rticl es fro m
i
, , a ,
.
,
a ,
teri a l for ii 1 1 9 s , . i
91 .

Graus on a ccoun t o f th e b attl e of n 99

, , . Ho e
us in S t L a w n c . re e p aris h to b e h ad che a p i
,
.

Gra ve cloth n oti ce of ii 98

-
, , . 122
Green Dr pro ph ecy o f i 68
, .
, ,
. Ho ehold t
us s uff n otice of i 45
, , .

gin ger o f a lmond s i 5 Ho us eh o d s o f th e o bility n oti ce o f th e officers in

g
, . n , ,
wax n otice o f ii 44 , , . 10i .

Green wi ch th e residen ce of th e court 1454 i 56

,
.
, , . Ho e w d
us s , pplication for lea v e to re m o ve
oo en , a
Gresha m disputes with th e Lord Mol yn s as to th e i orwich ren t of on e i 45
ma r of i 23 ; groun d pla n of the m an sion at
, o n e, 33 ; i n N .
, ,
.

Howar d qua rrel with J P as to n i 143

gp
-
. . .
, , , ,

G rey Lo rd p rop osa l o f m m

11 .
, arr i a g e from i 52
, , . IL a a- ch ar ges for n 1 6
ri os s i n M SS .
, , .

Grocer wh o se ll s h awks n otice o f ii 7 1 I n dictm en t o f J o hn P as ton a n d oth ers for sh oo

tw o m ii 48 ; o f P a m
.
, ,

Guisn es n otice of th e d efen ce of ii 1 14 en at Caister

G urn ey T hom
, ,
.
p yn g ,
.

,as a cler k co n vict o f m ur d er , , Broo m for th e sa m e ii 4 9 , .

e sca p es by cl a imin g ben efit o f cl ergy an d his In gl o s d e ath o f S ir H arry i 30

m , , .
,

an is h ang e d i 173 , . I n terco urse limited m ea n s of ii 62

, ,
.

I n terest n otice as to th e rate o f ii 83

HAL E forcibl e en try upo n th e m
.
, ,
a n or o f i 122 I n vas ion threa ten e d i n fa vo ur of Hen ry VI with
men i 150
. .
, ,

H a mmes s iege of th e cas tle o f i 146

, ,
.
, .

Ha rco urt S ir R ob ert an d two oth ers i n dicte d

, , ,
for
ki lli n g Rich ar d S ta flord a t C o v en try i 6 '

, . JA CK or j ack et n oti ce of i 5 1
, , ,
.

Ha rfleur cap ture o f i 2 J er usa l em a Chron icl e o f i 1 52

Harn ess a rticles of acti on agai n st W Dyl m
. .
, , , ,

, yn , . for J ud ges a ppo in te d for li fe by G eorg e I II i 28 . , .

n on d elivery o f i 1 7 9 J w i s con versa ti on res pectin g th e in fl uen cin g of i

g?
-

, . ,

Hats n otice of u 19 ; p ri ce of u 95
, , ,
.
1 66 IN DE X .

O rth ography p ctuation of o rigin al l etters

a n d. un , P oy gs la w n otice f u l
n in
’
, o , .

s p e cim e n o f i xvi . . P resen ts to la dies s uggesti o n s a s to wh a l’a re ,

O uch wi th di a m o n d n otice o f n 1 8
, ,
-

, . a bl e ii 7 1 ,
.

O vid s p oe m s n otice o f i 1 8 1 P riset J udg e re p ro of o f by J udg e Y lv e t n

’
, , .
, ,
e r o ,

O x fo rd p re p ara ti o n s o f th e E a rl o f a g a in s t th e l a n d
, P i son exp en s e o f w ee kly bo ard i n i 1 8 7
r , , .

in g o f E d wa rd I V ii 5 8 ; e sca p e th e trea ch ery P ri a t ch a p el a t Ma wteb y l icen ce requested

‘

gz
.
, . s . v ,

o f h is ch pl a in ii 61 ; a tte mp t o f t o esca pe from

a , .
, 9 1,
H a mm e s C a s tl e ii 129 rivy S ea l n otice of a letter un der th e for
'

, . P , ,

Un ivers i ty exp en s es o f residen ce a t ii 124 ; , , . t oo ps i 98

r ,
.

n o tice as t o ta ki n g o f degrees i n ii 1 30 ; by a n y , . P r cl a m a ti o n o f th e
o

o f th e roya l fa mily i d , . S a li sb ury i 66 o f Ed w rd IV i , . a .

,
_

O xn e a d m an o r o f reco v ere d by Jo h n Ha uteyn i

, , ,
. Richa rd III ii 15 2 ; o f D uke o f S uffolk n .
, . , .

7 a n d re le se d a g a i n id a , . P ro ver bs i 1 4 9 , .

O yer a n d T ermin er p a rti a l p rocee di n gs a t a ses s ion , P r tecti on g ran te d t o T o de n h a m

o Heydon , ,

o f i 28 , . oth ers i 65 , .

P uk e gow ns n otice res pe cti n g n 97, , .

P AP E R origi n a l l etters descripti on o f

of ,
.
, P urveya n ce fo r win ter i 15 4 ,
.

sca rcity o f i 1 3 4 ,
.

P a rdon J P as to u s n o t to b e o btai n ed with out m uch R A DFO R D N ich olas , m urder i o f, 68

’ ‘
- .
, . ,

m o n e y i 1 63 ; n ot ice o f ii 62,
.
,
. R a v en sp ur, n otice of t h e l a n di n g o f E dw a rd IV .

P a rli a me n t in fl uen ce o f a ri stocra cy o n el ection s fo r

,
ii 5 9 .

m embers o f con sidere d i xix ; procee din g s o f , , . . Ra y g o wn , n oti c e o f

-
, n . 43
a ga i n st th e D uke o f S om rset an d oth ers for e , R ecorders o f cities a sse rted to b e e li gibl e for m
ca usin g th e battle o f S t A lba n s i 65 .
’
,
. b er o f p arlia m e n t i 37
s , .

P art ric k J ohn vica r o f P as ton di sp ute wi th i 7

, , , , . Repl ev in wri ts o f n otice o f i 1 87
, , , .

P a ssa g e b o at betw een Dover a n d Cal ai s ta k en b y

-
s Rhymi n g l etter specim en s o f ii 1 04 1 1 1 , ,
.
,

th e Fren ch ii 77 Rich a rd III p ortra it o f ii 150

P a st on a m
. ., .
, ,

an c pt ure d by th e e n emy fro m th e sea

, a Righ t o f way di sp ute a s to i l l , , .

sh re a t i 8 5
o , . Ri sin g Ca tl e g ath erin g f s uspici ous people a t i
s ,
o , .

A g n e s evere tr ea tm e n t o f h er da ugh ter by

s, , ivers L or d rude l a n guage use d to w rds
, ,
a ,

i 50 ; d eath of ii 1 3 1 S ir An th on y Wi d vi l l e by th e E rl o l
’

. a s
, .
,

E li z a beth p ro p osal s for th e m a rr i a ge o f with . b ury a n d Wa rwi ck i 1 05 ,

.

S ir Will ia m O ld h a ll i 4 6 ; p ro osals for th e a n d pl a te in I ta ly ii 99 ;

p ,
.
, .

ri a ge o f with J o h n Cl op to n td S cro op e p ro , . gric ul tura l impro ver ii 1

a , .

p ose d a s a h usba n d fo r i 49 ,
. Robberi es on th e roa d to L on don rep orts o f i 69 , , .

J Billin g s c h aracter o f i 43 ; struck with ’

Rom e exto rtio n a s to th e exp en es o f som e proce
a d a g g er by on e o f Ho w a d s m
. s
, ,

en i 1 43 i n gs a t ii 8 3
’
r , .
,
.

S ir J o hn d ea th o f; . R oy a l h o us eh old econ o my o f i 1 44 , ,
.

L etters o rigi n a l éd itio n o f i xiii

'

.
, ,

pro o f o f a uth en ticity o f i xv xvi ,

.
, SA C R A ME N T , licen ce desired for a dmin isterin g in
timber req uired for rep airs at i 7 p rivate ch ap el ii 9 1 92
n um
.
, .
, ,

Wal ter dea th o f ii 1 3 1 S t A l b a n s n o ti ce o f th e fi rst b a ttl e of i 61

’

ber o f m
.
, ,
. .
, ,

P ec q ui g n y n o tice o f th e p e ace o f n 94 en kille d a t i 62

'

.
, , . ,

P e digree o f th e P as to n fa mily ii 1 58 , . S t A ug usti n e C n terbury mi s fortun es o f th e m o

.
,
-
a ,

P erse n o ti ce o f th e imp ris o n m en t of i 1 24 ; d o ub t

, , . n stery o f i 17 5
a , .

a s to th e n ature o f th e o ffen ce for whi ch h e wa s in S t L e o n ard pr i ory o f pilg rim ge to i 4

.
, ,
a , .

p ri so n i 1 86 , . S t O m ers n o ti ce o f th e s i e g e o f ii 1 1 7
.
, , .

P es til e n ce i n L on do n n otice o f i 54 ; a t N orwich , ,

.
, S l t n otice o f i 5 1
n e , , .

n ot ice o f i 1 09 , . S a li sb ury sick n es s of th e E ar l o f i 8 4

, ,
.

P etiti n to the D uk e o f Norfo lk re sp ecti n g Ca i ster

o , S a lt price o f a w ey o f i 32
. ,
.

ii 7 5
. S n ctu ari e s n otice o f ii 64
a , , .

P e w ter v es el w a n ted i 1 59 s
'

,
. an c tua ry exp en sive residen ce i n th e u 15 ; Q ueen
, , .

P hy ici an sen t fo r to C a mbridge fro m N or f lk i 1 58

s o , . o f E dwar d IV an d o th ers i n ii 53 . ,
.

P ie or m a g pie w o rthl ess n ess f a sp e a kin g ii 7 4

, , o ,
. S an dwich L or d Riv er s an d Si r A n th on y W id v il le
,

P ilgrim s capt ure d by th e e n emy o n th e sea sh ore of -

tak en at a n d carri ed t o C alai s i 104 Ki n g . .

E dwa rd I V co mi n g t o to rem edy so me di ssen

,

N orfolk b ut rel ea se d ag ai n i 85 ; use o f in co n

v eyin g l etters 8 mii 62
.
, , .
,

. s i on s at i 1 96 , .
,

P ir te ta k n a n d to b e execute d n 85
a e S axth rp curi o us m o de o f p rev en ti n g th e h oldi n g
o

m
.
, , ,
P o etry a n d F en ch i n str ucti on ta k e n i n i 94 o f a court a t ii 4 3
cal e L ord l etter fro co mpl ain in g o f th e im
r , , .
, .

P o i n ts a n d sil k l a ces t o b e b rought fro m L o n d o n 1 1 23 , ,

. s, , ,

p oun din g o f so m e beas ts i 48 ; a n d o fler of

id ; i m
P ol e L a dy m on ey d ue t o for th e boar d o f E l i z a beth
'

.
, , ,

P a sto n i 96 , . a rbi trem en t as to m tters i n di s p ute a ,

.

P o liti c l agi ta ti o n directi on s for e xci tin g in N orfo lk

a p uted cow a r dice o f i 1 6 3
-
.
, , ,

i 3 7 ; sermon n otice of a i 99 S co tc h a n d W el sh un q ui et ta te o f th e i 1 63
Scotl an d e mb assy fro mi 146 ; e mba ssy to i 1 65 ;
. ,
. s ,
.

, ,

P oyn i n g s E li z a b eth ( l a te P aston ) reque st o f for th e

re m
, , . .
, .
,

ai n d er o f h er m arri a ge p ort i on i 9 6 ,
. truce concl ude d wi th i 1 70 , .
 IN DE X . 1 67

i ts defea ted at Carlisl e i 1 3 1 , . resi st th e vi ole nt p roceedin gs o f L ord Welles .

rutin y fo r th e electi o n f a m e mb er for th e coun ty a ga i n st h is serva n t i 7 8

T av erlm m R offers h i s e tate for h is li fe to J
o , , .

reco mm en de d by J h n P as t n i o o ,
. , .
. s .

Hi ht betw een th e S p a n i ards a n d the E arl o f P asto n i 1 97 sc erta i n s h i s fath r s de t h a n d

,
. a e
’
a ,
arwic k i 9 0 ; rep or ted i 1 62 , .
, . b gs P a tou s assista n ce in gett in g p o ssessi o n o f
e s
’

p rice of 3 ii 1 7 h i s p tr im o n y i 1 9 8
T em
a
—Ri cha rd E a rl o f Wa rwick , i 59 ; Rich ard
. , .
,

z .
pl e o ffices a cce pted by la wyer s in th e a s excuse s
, ,

D uke o f York i 60 ; Hen ry VI i 1 06 ; N icho la s for n o t r sidi n g wi t h th ei r Wiv es i 32

“

, . .
, . e , .

A bb ot o f L an gl ey i 1 14 ; Clem en t P a s ton i , .
, . T emple o f Gl as s n oti ce f t h p o em s o ca ll ed 1 1 67
, o e , .

1 16 ; M a rg a ret P sto n i 1 1 8 ; T fr o m T e mpl e a

, . . T estim o n i a l o f t h e comm o s o f N r fo lk to b e s e n t to n o ,

o f Sy n i 122 ; T ho m as P l y ters i l 29 ; Jo h n
o , . a ,
. th e ki n g i 1 3 5 , .

B ern ey i 1 38 Joh n Russe i 1 4 2 ; S i r J oh n T h a m es fo rty a il o f ship s sto pp ed i n th e to co n vey

men to Ca lais i 162
, .
, .
, s ,

P a sto n ii 7 ; H ugh at Fen n e ii 9 ; E arl o f

, .
, .
-
, .

O x for d ii 4 5 T h etfo rd l ar g e es i on e xp ected a t i 4 1 ; s essi o n s

men preached at N orwich on Whitsun d y temp
-
. s s , .
,

, a , . at i 15 0 ; ssi zes a t i 15 l
, . a , .

Hen ry VI i 1 12 .
,
. T il es n otice resp cti n g th e sca city o f in N o rfo lk 1 1 98
. e r , .

rto n or sacri st o ffice o f i 1 8 4

, , ,
. T ipp ets o f w ors t d p ric e o f i 15 5 e , , .

cep driven fro m Heyl esd n to C a uston t o a v o id

. o T o d n ha m S ir T h o mas n tice o f i 58 ; in quiri es
e ,
-

, o , .

th e D uke o f S uffolk s s e iz ure i 1 89 fter cert i n obliga ti on s o f to th e con ven t o f

’
,
. a a

eri fi o f N o rfolk br ib e o ffered t o fo r h is i n fl uen ce N o rwich i 1 6 1

’

.
, , ,

b ut refused i 8 7 , . T o k en i n st n ce o f th e cus tom o f usi n g 1

, a 51 , 1.

Willia m vi ol en t procee di n gs o f L or d Well es ,

n oti ce o r the c usto m o f usi n g a t k en a s a se o

an d oth er s ag a i n st i 77 , . c uri ty ii 6 1 , .

"
erifi s s ilver n o tice o f i 3 8 , , . T o k en s used as a sec uri ty in de p o si ti n g articl es i 82 , .

return proceedi n gs on a fa lse o n e u 96 ,

-
.
, . T o mbsto n e fo r S ir J oh n P a to n n ot ice r esp ecti n g ii s , , .

ip s di fferen t sorts o f i 9 0
, , .

age o f T h ebes n ot ice f th e b oo k o f th e 1 1 68 , o ,

. r
T o u n ay at E l h a m , n i o f h , u 21 t ot ce t e .

guet imp ortan ce o f i 1 1 7

, , . T o wto n , n oti ce o f h ba t t l o f, i 1 27 ; li s o f p son s
.
t e e . t er
k a pplica tio n fo r i 4 5 s la in a t i 1 28
se p i n g t i m
. .
, , ,

e n otice o f i 76 -

, ,
. c
T ra n s ript i o n ha ges fo r u 1 5 , c r , .

o rin g p a rson o f p ut in th e stock s i 1 37 ; accused

,
’

, ,
. r
T a v elli n g usua l m e h o d o f, i xiv
, t .

o f bei n g co n cer n e d in the m ur der o f Den ye i 1 38 s, . re c e

T a cl e us d as a m edi i n e, i 30 .

ldiers exto rti o n o f m o n ey by di sb an d ed i 1 37

, , . rc
o f G en o a p i e o f ii 1 33 , , . ,

livery o f i 1 5 7 re o ee t r
T a s n s bill o f, p r s n ed to p a li a m n a g a i n s h e t tt e
m
. ,
,

erset D uk e o f i n p ri son i ,
43 ; return o f th e , , .
,
r c ot r
Bish o p o f N o wi h a n d h e s, i 1 59 .

fro m F n c e to Sc otl n d to j o i n Q ueen M a r g aret c ter ot ce

T ru e a t C a i s i o f, ii 3 1
m
m m
ra a , , n , .

i 1 47 sues fo r gra ce i 1 62
.
,
. c cr e re t
T run h , o n a t , ta k n fo r n to Gi i n gh a , i 7 .

ices i n q uiry as to the pri ces of ii 66 t t t

T um ul s , a n ic ip a io n o f, ii 77
me e
. .
, ,

i ritn a l o der n otice f J o hn P a sto n b el o gin g to

r , o n c r
T un stall S i r Ri ha d , a n d Byl lin gh a , b h ea d d ,
,

i 166
-

a i 1 21
m
.
, .

o on s n o tice o f i 8 3 ,
,
. S i r Willi a m , a k n p i son e in Ba t e r r
afford Rich rd killed a t C o ven try by Sir Rob er t
, a ,
r
bo o ugh C a s l i 1 65 te , .

H a rcourt i 6 , . T urki sh dwa f, n o i of a , u 4 6 r t ce .

H umphrey Earl o f a fterw ards D uke of , ,

.

B uckin gh am n otice o f i 1 0 UN GU E N T UM lb um otice o f i 1 22

im
. , . a , n ,
.

fo rd m o vem en ts a fter th e b a ttl e o f n 47

, , .

eel b ws in quiry fo r a w rkm a n to rep a i r 1 1 25 V A L E N T IN E S c usto m o f ch oo i n g n 1 04 1 05

‘
-
o . o , .
,
s .
,
,

ra t io rd p rso n o f b h avi o ur o f i 25 V en iso p resen t o f fro m th e Earl of O xfor d to S ir J

'

a e . n .
, , , , ,

fio l k La dy a p plica ti o n of fo r th e a ppoi n tm en t o f F a st o l f i 9 2
'

, , , .

V er es sp ecim en o f i 1 55
,

the sheri ff o f N orf lk i 1 1 1 o . s , , .

V ictual li n g an d co mm a n d o f ship s con vers tion

,

a n d N or folk di scon ten ts i n i 26 ; all ege d , , .

, a

p a rti lity of th e sheri ff o f id r um o ure d ri si n g

a ,
. respectin g th e i 1 69 17 0 , .
,

i n ii 7 9 , .

D uk e of a rticl es o f imp eachm en t a gai n st ,

,
WA G F S to ldiers order fo r pa ymen t o f n 5 5
so , , .

i 1 5 ; a dvice o f to h i s so n i 1 7 a cco un t o f th e
- .
, . Wa l s yield ed to th e ki n g
e ,

d ea i h o f i 1 8 20 Willi m de l a P o l e Duk e o f
, . , a , ,
sta te o f a f irs i n i a , .

a cco un t f h is to mb a t Win gfiel d ii 1 25

o , . Wa lsi n gh am pil g im a g e to o ur L ady o f i 4 10 ;
, r , .
,

tga r to b e p urch a sed i 89 ; & c commissi on to pilgrim ge o f th e D uk e o f N or fo lk to i 93 ;

‘

. .
, a , .
,

purch ase li e shillin g s w orth ii 66 v

’
, . pilgrima ge o f E dw rd IV an d h is q uee n t ii a . o, .

iga r l o a f w a n te d i 134
; & c m n ey se n t for th e 27 ; pilgrim a g e o f th e D uch ess o f N o rfo lk to ii
5 5 ; pilgr i m
-
. . o , .
, ,

p urcha se o f ii 4 4 , . a ge o f th e D uk e a n d D uch e s o f s

i
p p er a t Fra mli n gha m co st o f 1 1 7 1 , , . N o fo l k to ii 63 ; pilgrim a g e o f th e D uk e of
r
,
.

v a in sth orp i en ure o f by p et it serge a n ty i 1 6

a , , . Buc k i n gh a m to ii 1 28 , .

r up M as ter Ro ger s n otice o f ii 44 ’

Ward stran ge trea tm en t o f a i 5 1
W ard ship o f a mi n o r sumn a m ed for procuri n g of
t .
, , , .
, ,

si nner s , a pplicati on to Lo rd Beaum on t for force to th e 1 33 ,

 IN D E X .

W a rlike stuffs caution to be spari o f at Ca ister Witn esses characters o f two

'

, ng , 11. , ,

37 W oo d a n d h a y che p est 1 n J uly i 1 34 a

,
.

W a rwick E a r l of h is a rticles for th e go vern m en t of

, . estim ate d v al ue of ii 68 ,
.

Henry VI 1 xx s a l e s frequen cy o f i n No rfolk 1 1 66

m ean s use d by to ra i se m Woo in gs of J P a to n —to E li za beth E berton 1 1 8
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on ey i , ,
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5 8 ; di sp ute o f th e with Lord Cro mw ell as to 1 h e , wido w at Bl ack fri a rs id ; L ady Wa lgra v e ,
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ca users o f th e b attle of S t Alban s i 64 ; an d h is ’

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m ous 1 1 1 01 M
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en 1 ec ei ves in e mbassy th e ge y B re ws 1 02 et seq. M istress B urley

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q ueen of S cots dea th o f ii 60 , . 10

Wa x lights a t a fun era l high charg e for ii 68
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W elles L ord vi olen t p roceedi n gs of a ga in st a serv a n t

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o f Willia m T a ilb ys 1 77 o , . William complain t o f the s m all ness ,

Wen yn gt n Ro bert h is acco un t o f a n a val e n gage

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m e n t i 1 19 W orsted in N orfolk n otice of i 1 55

Wreck r ight o f n otice o f a cl imof 1 1 1 1 8
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Will ca ution n ecessary i n a dmi n isteri n g to a 11 4 : ii 3 ii 62

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63 ; sugg esti on s to M argaret P a s ton as to h er to resid e wi th him o n acco un t

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Willi a m son S ir Robert co mpl a in t o f at b ein g sued

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rescue o i a p erson a rre ste d d ur in g m a ss YA R M O U T H a n d C ro m er in s ecuri ty of i 1 6
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Wil tsh i i e ,Ea rl o f t a k en p riso n er i
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o f, i 1 29 Yea r d a y n o tice o f ii 8
Yelvert on Will ia mj ud ge i n K i n g s Ben ch
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ins urrecti o n i n i 24
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Wi n e l a rge pro vi i o n to be m a de a ga in st th e K in g s of i 1 0 ; so lici ts the goo d o ffices o f S

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p rogress through N o r folk ii 8 5 ,

. F a stol f wi th the co urt 1 1 2 ; reproo f by 0 1 ,
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Wi n fiel d ch urch m o n um en ts a t to th e De l a P ol e s
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i 1 9 ; n oti c e o f th e m on um e n ts to th e D ukes o i
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S uffolk a t ii 125 , . York p etition o f Richard D uk e o f i

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Wi ngfield Sir Ro b ert con trivan ce of to a vo id p a y

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a n d other l ord s Co py o f a l etter fro m ,

i n g a l e g a l deb t 1 3 ,
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Win terto n a cco un t of a w reck a t ii 1 18 o f to An n eMo wb ray ii 1 20

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Lon don Pr i n ted by W IL L IA M C L ow s s an d S o n s S ta m fo rd S treet.

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