[398]
ABSTRACT[202.1]
G. Sperlyng to John Paston
1460
JAN. 6
Paston was misinformed as to what Sperlyng said of his late master’s[202.2] will. What he said was that about Hallowmas was twelvemonth he was about eight weeks with his said master, who one day examined him about the conveyance of his lands, and said there was no man of worship in Norfolk had so many auditors as he, yet he could never get the certainty how his livelode was disposed; but he had found a means to be quiet, ‘whereof,’ he said, ‘I am as glad as a man had geve me 1000 mark,’ by granting his cousin Paston all his livelode in Norfolk and Suffolk, on condition he should amortise sufficient lands to maintain a master and six secular priests at Castre. Paston was to take the risk of any counter claim and trouble hereafter, etc.
Norwich, Epiphany Day.
[The date of this letter must be 1460, as it is after Fastolf’s death, and speaks of a conversation the writer had with him about the management of his lands a twelvemonth before Hallowmas preceding the date of the letter. At Hallowmas 1459 Sir John was dying, and quite unable to support any conversation for want of breath, so that the reference must be to Hallowmas 1458.]
[202.1] [From Paston MSS., B.M.]
[202.2] Sir John Fastolf.
[399]
WILLIAM BOTONER TO JOHN BERNEY[203.1]
To the ryght worshypfull Sir, John Berneye, Scuier, at Castre beyng.