vij. Also if ye can be any craft get a copy of the bille that Sir Miles Stapilton hath of the corte rolles of Gemyngham, that ye fayle not, but assay and do yowr devyr, for that shuld preve some men shamefully fals. Master Brakle seyd he shuld a get oon of Freston. I wold he shuld assay, or ellys peraventure Skypwith, or ellys Master Sloley; for if Stapilton were boren in hande that he shuld be founde fals and ontrewe, and first founder of that mater, he wold bothe shewe the bille and where he had it.[298.1]
viij. Item, I wold the prestis of Caster were content for Midsomer term.
ix. Item, ther is a whith box with evidens of Stratton, in on of the canvas baggis in the gret cofir, or in the spruse chest. Ric. Calle knowith it well, and ther is a ded of feffement and a letter of atorne mad of the seyd londs in Stratton to John Damm, W. Lomner, Ric. Calle, and John Russe. I wold a new dede and letter of atorne were mad owth theroff be the feffees of the same laund to Thome Grene,[298.2] Thome Playter, the parson of Heylisdon, Jacobo Gloys, klerke,[298.3] Johanni Pamping, and that the ded bere date nowh, and that it be selid at the next shire; for than I suppose the seyd feffes will be ther if it may not be don er that tyme. I wold have the seyd dedis leyd in a box, both old and new, and left secretly at Ric. Thornis hows at Stratton, that whan I com homwar I mygh fynd it ther, and mak seson [seisin] and stat to be take whil I wer ther. Wret at London on Lammes Day.
[296.3] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is printed from a draft which is partly in John Paston’s own hand. The contents clearly refer to, first, the Norfolk election of 1461, which it was proposed to confirm by a new meeting of the electors at the shire-house; and secondly, the necessity of electing a new coroner after the murder of Thomas Denys. The date is therefore certain.
[298.1] Between this and the next paragraph is the following sentence crossed out:— ‘Item, I send yow a writ direct to the Meyer and Shreves of Norwich for to receyve of hem an C. [hundred] mark yerly for suche jowellys as the Kyng hath of me.’
[298.2] This name is substituted for three others crossed out, viz. ‘John Grenefeld, Thomas Playter, Water Wrottisle, Squyer.’
[298.3] Here occurs the name, ‘Christofere Grenacre,’ crossed out.
[476]
JOHN RUSSE TO JOHN PASTON[299.1]
To my right worshypfull and reverent maistyr, John Paston, at Norwich.
1461
AUG. 23