Volume Ii Part 34 (1/2)

129

ABSTRACT[159.3]

JAMES GRESHAM TO [JOHN PASTON?].

[Sidenote: About 1450]

Inquiry made as to the injury of Sporle wood for lack of hedging. The three years' growth of the wood availeth no man. The farmers now cannot sell it the better, so it must be either to your hurt or Halman's. Hopes the wastes at Cressingham will be amended. Your tenants are treated unfairly about the Sheriff's turn by those of the Prior of Norwich and John Coo. Can get no money, for Fulchier hopes he is not so far in arrear as you think. Halman can get no money; his corns are so cheap he will not sell, but he hopes to make purveyance at Michaelmas.

Calybut says he never asked the Vicar of Sporle to be bound for him.

They will meet with me at Gressenhale on St. Bartholomew's day and seal the other part, so that they have notice from you at Swaffham Market, Sat.u.r.day next before.

_Accounts of Sneylewell, Cressingham, and Sparham on the back._

[We have placed this letter after the preceding as being probably not many years apart from it in date, if not the very same year. The name of Halman occurs in both, and also in a letter of the Vicar of Sporle, which will be found a little further on.]

[Footnote 159.3: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

130

ABSTRACT[160.1]

SIR J. FASTOLF TO SIR THOMAS HOWYS, Parson of Castlecombe, at Caister.

[Sidenote: 1450 / AUG. 8]

Has sent home letters by John Bedford. Sends by the bearer Thomas Medew eight writs of 'green wax'[160.2] for certain processes he has in Norfolk, with a _distringas_ for Sir John Shypton, which he must get served with the advice of Thomas Grene and other of Fastolf's trusty friends. The inquest must be certified of the truth and Shypton's falsehood proved. Will give his testimonial, when needful, 'that I never sealed none such quittance.' Let Greene correct the roll of articles I send by Bedford. I hear you have omitted several of the extortions done to me (_in margin_, 'eyer and determiner'). London, 8 August 28 Henry VI.

Let Master Doket have a copy of the evidence of Rydlyngfeeld.

'Item, purvey me at the leest v. doseyn long bowes, with shot longyng thertoo. And purveyeth also quarell[160.3] hedys to be made ther, for the price ys derer heer then ther; and let no langage be had of ordenances makyng.'

_Signed._

[Footnote 160.1: [MS. Phillipps, 9735, f. 224.]]

[Footnote 160.2: Writs under the seal of the Court of Exchequer, which was of green wax, directing the sheriff of a county to levy certain fines.]

[Footnote 160.3: _See_ page 101, Note 3.]

131

JAMES GRESHAM TO JOHN PASTON[160.4]

_To my right especiall maister, John Paston,[160.5] in hast._

[Sidenote: 1450 / AUG. 19]

Ryght worthy wors.h.i.+pfull sir, and myn especiall maister, I recomaund me to yow, and pray yow wete that I was [yesterdaye atte][160.6]

... .[160.6] my lord Chauncellers[160.7] hous, and there I spake with White; and he tolde me that he hadde the letter that ye sewed for from ... ... . .[161.1] directed to the Lord Moleyns of that substance that ye hadde sued to hym for an especiall a.s.sise[161.2] and an _oier_ and _determiner_,[161.3] [and][161.1] ... . .[161.1] that he shuld comaunde his men beyng at Gresham to departe thens, and that the profitez thereof shuld be receyved by an endifferent [person][161.1]