To all tho to whom this present wrytyng shall come, Rauff Lampet, Squier, sendyth gretyng in our Lord. And forasmoch as it is meritory to bere witnesse of trought, and that I knowe and herd the disposicion and will of Ser John Fastolff, knyght, aftir the forme folowyng, and am requered to sey the trought, I record and testifie, and bere witnesse that Ser John Fastolff, knyght, abought the tyme of hervest was v. yere, that was the yere of our Lord Mlcccclvij. at Caster, fast by Mekyll Yarmouth, in the Shire of Norffolk, in presens of divers persones that tyme callid to by the seid Ser John, ded make estat and feffement and livery of seison of the maner of Caster aforeseid, and other maners, londs, and tenements in Norffolk to John Paston, Squier, and other. And at that livery of season thereof delivered, as well by the hands of the seid Ser John as be other, the seid Ser John Fastolff by his owne mouth declared his will and entent of that feffement and livery of season, mad to the use of the seid Ser John as for duryng his life only, and aftir his decese to the use of the seid John Paston and his heyrs. And also the seid Ser John seid and declared, that the seid John Paston was best frend, and helper, and supporter to the seid Ser John, and that it was his will that the seid John Paston shuld have and inherite the same maners, londs, and tenements, and other, aftir his decese, and ther to dwelle and abide, and kepe howsold, seying that he knew well that the disposicion of the seid Paston was to do good in the contry, and be non oppressor of the pore pepill. And the seid Ser John desired me, and Daune William Bokenham, that tyme Prior of Yarmouth, beynge presente, to record as he had seid to us. And this I record and witnesse for trought be the feyght that I owe to God and all Seynts. In witnesse wherof to this my writyng I have set to my seall and signe manuell the xix. day of March, the third yer of the reigne of Kyng Edward the Fourth. R. Lampet.

[72.1] [Tanner MS., 106, f. 35 b.]

[542]
ABSTRACT[73.1]

Raff Lampet to his Cousin Daubeney

Date uncertain

Reminds him that he spoke to him at Redham, in the church, about certain lands ‘which John of Berney bought of me,’ and for which there is still owing him 13s. 4d., and a rent of 6d. four years in arrear. Begs him to speak to Master Paston to get him the money.

We place this letter immediately after another document signed by Ralph Lampet, the exact date being uncertain and immaterial. It is probably, however, about this period, as it may be surmised to be after the death of John Berney.

[73.1] [From Paston MSS., B.M.]

[543]
ABSTRACT[73.2]

1463
APRIL 6