[64.2] [From Paston MSS., B.M.]
[56]
—— —— TO JOHN PASTON[64.3]
1444
Righte reverent and my most worshipful maister, I recomaund me to yow. Please it yow to wite that I sende yow a copie of a verdite take before my maister Roberd Clere by vertu of a writ diem clausit extremum,[64.4] whiche writ I sende yow also with this, of whiche verdite the wordis arn as it folwith:—
Inquisicio capta apud Wynterton, secundo die Novembris anno regni Regis Henrici vjti post conquestum vicesimo tertio, coram Roberto Clere escaetore domini Regis in com. Norfolk et Suffolk, virtute brevis domini Regis sibi directi et presenti Inquisitioni consuti, per sacramentum Johannis Berkyng, Nicholai Pikeryng, Johannis Chapell, Johannis Jekkys, Willelmi Stiwardson, Roberti Hosele, Johannis Topy, Johannis Wacy, Johannis Rychers, Thomæ Broun, Walteri Heylok, Willelmi Stotevyle, Thomæ Mason, Roberti Marche, Johannis Kechon, legalium et proborum hominum in hac parte pro domino Rege juratorum: Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod Willelmus Paston nominatus in dicto brevi nulla terras et tenementa tenuit de domino Rege in capite die quo obiit in comitatu predicto. Et quod obiit quarto decimo die mensis Augusti, anno regni domini Regis predicti xxij. Et quod Johannes Paston filius ipsius Willelmi est hæres ejus propinquior, et ætatis xxiij. annorum.
Ther is founde more of other thyngges be the same verdite touchyng other matieris, whiche he will not certifie yet. And for as moche as my maister Clere wetyth well that the seid verdite touchyng my maister your fader, hoes soule God assoyle, must have other maner of makyng thanne he kan make, he recomaundith hym to my maistres your moder, and yow also; and prey yow that ye will do it make as effectuel and availeabill for the wel of my maister your fader and yow as ye kan, and sele it with your seall, or what seall ellys ye will, in his name, and sealle it also with as many of other seales as ther be jerores, and delyvere it to William Bondes, his depute, to delyvere into the Chauncelre. And if William Bondes be fro London or this may be redy, thanne purveye ye for the speed of this matier in youre best wise; and what so ever ye do, or sey, or write, or seale, or avouche in this matier in my maister Cleris name, he shall avowe it, and [i.e. if] it shulde coste hym gret parte of his good.
Sir, ther is noon enquerre take in Suffolk, for as moche as my maister your fader helde no londe ther but be my maistres your moder; but if ye will that he shall inquere ther as sone as he may wete it, it shall be doo; and if this forseide verdite may serve for bothe, he is right glad therof. He tolde me that he seide to the jurores, whiche have sealed her verdite: ‘Seris, I wot well this verdite after my makyng is not effectuel in lawe, and therfore may happe it shall be makid newe at London, and ellys peraventure I shulde be amercied in the Kyngges Courte; and therfore I truste yow, and [i.e. if] it be newe mad and newe sealed, ye will avowe it.’ And thei seide with a good herte ya; these wordes wern seide in secreta confessione to v. or vj. of the reuleris of the seide jurre whiche he kan truste righte well. He preyith yow to holde hym excused that he writyth not to yow for this matier, for he is ocupied in other wise. He badde me write in this fourme to yow, which he supposith ye will beleve, and he knoweth alle this writyng, and is well concented and agreed therto. Sir, ther arn xv. jurores abowe to certifie ye, as many as ye will: but lete these men that be tottid be certified, for thei be the rewleris and t . . . . he spk (?) &c. Sir, atte reverence of God, if I shall make ony purvyaunce in this cuntre for my maistres comyng hom, lete me have reson[able] warnyng, and so God me helpe, and I shall do my dever. I here no tydyngges of Thom’ yet. My maistres Garneys, your moder, . . . . . .[66.1] Berney, and my maisteris your sonys and my maister your brother arn heyle and mery, and recommend hem to yow. And I beseche your [mastership][66.1] that this sympil skrowe may recomaund me to my reverant and worshipful maistres, your moder. And I prey our Lord of his . . . . . .[66.1] bothe moche worship and wilfare, and graunte me to do and labour that is to your bothenerys pleaser.[66.2]
Writen the Saterday next. . . . . . .[66.3]
This letter appears to have been used as a wrapper for others. It is endorsed, ‘Literæ diversorum directæ J. Paston receptæ apud London per diversos annos ante festum Michaelis anno xxxiiij Hen. VI. Literæ Fastolff pro Costid (?). Literæ W. Wayt pro tempore suæ tribulationis. Literæ Windham.’
[64.3] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is without a signature or address, and who the writer was does not appear. It was evidently written soon after the taking of the inquisition on the death of William Paston, the Judge, the date of which is given in the extract as 2nd November 23 Henry VI., i.e. 1444.