[201.1] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] The date of this letter is very uncertain, but as a good deal is said about this time of the manor and wood of Sporle, we insert it here for convenience.
[845]
NOTE
1474
FEB. 9
It appears by the Early Chancery Proceedings printed by the Record Commission (vol. i. p. xc.), that a decree was given in Chancery in Hilary term, 13 Edw. IV. compelling William Paston and other trustees to fulfil a covenant between Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Elizabeth, Countess of Oxford. On the Close Roll, 13 Edw. IV. memb. 1, is a release by William, Bishop of Ely, Sir Thomas Montgomery, John Wentworth, clk., William Paston, Esq., Roger Townesend and Jas. Arblaster to Richard, Duke of Gloucester, of all their right in Ocle Magna and Parva, etc., in Essex, which they have by enfeoffment of Eliz., Countess of Oxford, and in other manors in Norfolk and Suffolk which they lately had of the gift of the same. This release is dated 9th Feb. 13 Edw. IV., and was acknowledged in Chancery on the 11th Feb. Below it are enrolled three other deeds by the Countess and her feoffees to the Duke, dated 9th June, 12 Edw. IV., and acknowledged in Chancery, 25th June, 14 Edw. IV.
[846]
SIR JOHN PASTON TO MARGARET PASTON[203.1]
Mestresse Margrett Paston, at Norwyche.
1474
FEB. 20
Ryght honorable and most tendr good moodr, I recomand me to yowe, besechyng yow to have, as my tryst is that I have, yowr dayly blessyng; and thanke yow off yowr good moderhood, kyndenesse, cheer, charge, and costes, whyche I had, and putte yow to, att my last beyng with yow, whyche God gyffe me grace her afftr to deserve!
Please it yow to weet, that I thynge longe that I heer nott ffrom yow or ffrom Pekok yowr servaunt, ffor the knowlege howe he hathe doon in the sale off my fferme barlye, ner whatt is made theroff; wherffor I beseche yowe, if it be not answeryd by that tyme that thys bylle cormythe to yowe, to hast hym and itt hyddre wards; ffor iff that had nott taryed me, I deme I had been at Caleys by thys daye; ffor it is soo, as men seye, that the Frense Kynge with a gret hoste is at Amyans, but iijxx. myle from Caleys; and iff he, or hys, roode byffor Caleys, and I nott theer, I wolde be sorye.
Item, men seye that the Erle of Oxenfford hathe ben constreynyd to sewe ffor hys pardon only off hys lyffe; and hys body, goodes, londes, with all the remenaunt, at the Kynges wyll, and soo sholde in all haste nowe come in to the Kyng; and some men seye that he is goon owt off the Mounte,[203.2] men wot not to what plase, and yit lefte a greet garnyson theer, weell ffornysshyd in vytayll, and all other thynge.