Volume Vi Part 17 (1/2)

The letters following are all probably of the reign of Edward IV., but their dates are quite uncertain.

[Footnote 69-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]

989.

J. PASTON [OF GELSTON] TO RICHARD CROFT

Will not venture to ride in this weather, not being well at ease. Sends three bills of John Calle and Robert Salle's receipts and payments brought by the former. Cannot find the new fermall of Caster here, so he has given the bearer the key of his coffer at Yarmouth. If you would ride with him, I think you will find it there. Agrees to John Wynne's bills, desiring to be allowed 5 for Byshoppis of Yarmouth, and for herring delivered to my cousin Loveday; but John Wynne must not sell my farm barley to pay them, as I wish all the barley in his charge malted for my Lord Mountjoy. I send a warrant for the sheriff to warn the persons in Flegge and Yarmouth impanelled between the King and me to be at Thetford a.s.sizes on Wednesday next. Give it to Simon Garrard.

Norwich, Wednesday.

990.

SIR THOMAS HERT TO HIS WORs.h.i.+PFUL MISTRESS, [MARGARET PASTON?]

Giving her an account of the numbers of her sheep and lambs at Sparham from Drayton and Taverham, and those with the shepherd at Heylesdon.

Heylisdon, Thursday before Lady Day the Nativity.[69-3]

[Under this letter is written in a modern hand--'37 Hen. 6,' but this date is certainly too early. Thomas Hert was Vicar of Stalham in 1482.]

[Footnote 69-3: The Nativity of St. Mary the Virgin, 8th September.]

991.

JOHN DOWNYNG TO EDMUND PASTON

Is a simple servant of his mother and miller of Wood Mill. Complains of Will. Sybbeson, whom Edmund Paston well knows to have been 'defawtyf in many other thyngs,' and who embezzles wheat and rye, and prevents him getting any good of a close he holds of Paston's mother.

North Walsham, Thursday before St. Brice.[70-1]

[Some memoranda of receipts are written across the back.]

[Footnote 70-1: St. Brice's Day is 13th November.]

THE PASTON LETTERS

_Edward V._

992

RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, TO LORD NEVILL[71-1]

_To my Lorde Nevyll, in hast._