Volume Vi Part 7 (1/2)

Wretyn at Norwyche, on Sonday at nyght next before Sent Andrew, and delyverd on Monday next be the morwyn.

Be your,

W. LOMNOUR.

[Footnote 29-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is apparent from the contents that this letter was written shortly after the decease of Sir John Paston in November 1479.]

964

ABSTRACT[31-1]

[WILLIAM PASTON TO ROBERT WALSH]

Thinks his dealing not very commendable, seeing that the writer is not paid his fee, according to the promise made by him and Fouke of Knapton, when they were with him at Norton. I had a distress and left it for your sake, but you show no consideration for me, etc.

[This is a draft in the handwriting of William Paston. To it is attached a small slip with these words, 'A letter fro William Paston to Robert Walsch and Robert Fouk of Knapton.']

[Footnote 31-1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

965

JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[31-2]

_To my ryght worchepfull and most kynd modyr, Margarett Paston._

[Sidenote: 1479 / DEC.]

Ryght werchepfull modyr, aftyr all dutes of humble recomendacyon, as lowly as I can, I beseche yow of your dayly blessyng and preyer. Pleasyt yow to undyrstand that wher as ye wyllyd me by Poiness to hast me ought of the heyer that I am in, it is so that I must pwt me in G.o.d, for her must I be for a season, and in good feyth I shall never, whyll G.o.d sendyth me lyff, dred mor dethe than shame; and thankyd be G.o.d, the sykness is well seasyd here, and also my besyness puttyth awey my fere.

I am drevyn to labore in lettyng of th'execucyon of myn unkynd onclys entent, wher in I have as yet non other dyscorage, but that I trust in G.o.d he shall fayle of it.

I have spokyn with my Lord of Ely[32-1] dyvers tymys, whyche hathe put me in serteynte by hys woord, that he wyll be with me ayenst myn oncle in iche mater that I can shewe that he entendyth to wrong me in; and he wold fayne have a resonable end betwyx us, wher to he wyll helpe, as he seythe. And it is serteyn my brodyr, G.o.d have hys soule, had promysed to a byde the reule of my Lord Chamberleyn[32-2] and of my Lord Ely; but I am not yett so far forthe, nor not wyll be, tyll I know my Lord Chamberleyns intent, and that I purpose to do to morow, for then I thynk to bewith hym, with G.o.des leve. And sythe it is so that G.o.d hathe purveyd me to be the solysytore of thys mater, I thank Hym of Hys grace for the good lordes, mastrys, and frendys that He hathe sent me, whyche have perfytely promysyd me to take my cause as ther owne, and those frendes be not a fewe.

And, modyr, as I best can and may, I thank yow and my cosyn Lomenore of the good avyse that ye have sent me, and I shall aplye me to do ther aftyr. Also, modyr, I beseche you on my behalf to thank myn cosyn Lomnorre for the kindness that he hathe shewyd on to me in gevyng of hys answer to myn onclys servaunt, whyche was with hym.

Modyr, I wryght not so largely to yow as I wold do, for I have not most leyser; and also when I have ben with my Lord Chamberleyn, I purpose not to tery longe aftyr in London, but to dresse me to yow wardes; at whyche tyme I trust I shall brynge yow more serteynte of all the fordell [_advantage_] that I have in my besyness then I can as yett wryght.

I am put in serteynte by my most specyall good mastyr, my Mastyr of the Rollys,[32-3] that my Lord of Ely is, and shal be bettyr lord to me then he hathe shewyd as yet, and yet hathe he delt with me ryght well and honourably.

Modyr, I beseche yow that Pekok may be sent to purvey me as myche money as is possybyll for hym to make ayenst my comyng home, for I have myche to pay her in London, what for the funerall costes, dettes, and legattes that must be content in gretter hast then shalbe myn ease. Also I wold the ferme barly in Flegge, as well as at Paston, if ther be eny, wer gadryd, and iff it may be resonably sold, then to be sold or putt to the maltyng; but I wold at Caster that it were ought of the tenauntes handys for thynges that I here (kepe ye consell thys fro Pekok and all folkys), whyche mater I shall appese, if G.o.d wyll geve me leve.

[Footnote 31-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident from the contents that this letter was written shortly after the death of Sir John Paston. The year 1479 was a year of great mortality, in which the Paston family lost three of its members. The letter is not signed, but is in John Paston's hand.]

[Footnote 32-1: John Morton, Bishop of Ely.]

[Footnote 32-2: Lord Hastings.]

[Footnote 32-3: Robert Morton.]