[31.2] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident from the contents that this letter was written shortly after the death of Sir John Paston. The year 1479 was a year of great mortality, in which the Paston family lost three of its members. The letter is not signed, but is in John Paston’s hand.
[32.1] John Morton, Bishop of Ely.
[32.2] Lord Hastings.
[32.3] Robert Morton.
[966]
JOHN PASTON AND HIS UNCLE WILLIAM[33.1]
After 1479
Thes be th’enjuryes and wrongys done by William Paston to John Paston, hys nevew.
Fyrst, the maners of Marlyngforthe, Stansted, and Horwellbery wes gev[en to] William Paston, Justyce, and to Agnes, hys wyff, and to th’eyers of ther tw . . . . to whom the seyd John Paston is cosyn and heyer, that is to sey, son to John, son and heyer to the seyd William and Agnes.
Item, wher the [seyd William Paston was seasyd of the maner of ——], Ed. Clere with other infeofyd to the use of the seyd Will[iam][33.2] and of hys heyres, the whyche William made hys wyll that th[e said Agnes], hys [wife], shold have the seyd maner for terme of hyr lyff. And aftyr th[at he] dyed, and the seyd Agnes occupyed for terme of hyr seyd lyff . . . . of the seyd feoffes the seyd maner; and aftyrwardes the seyd . . . . . . Afftyr whoys dethe Sir John Paston, Knyght, as cosyn and heyer to t[he said William], in to the seyd maner entred, and dyed with ought issue of hys bodye. . . . . . John as brodyr and heyer to the seyd Sir John, [and cosyn and heyer is lett . .],[34.1] . . seyd maner entred, and is lettyd to take the profytys of the same by . . . . of the maners of Marlyngforthe, Stansted, and Horwelbery befor r . . . . by the meanys of the seyd Wylliam.
[33.1] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is evident that this paper was drawn up some time after the death of Sir John Paston in 1479. It is in his brother John’s handwriting.