[40.1] Sir John Paston, who died in 1479.
[970]
WILLIAM PASTON TO JOHN KYNG[40.2]
To John Kynge, Fermour of my Maner of Hartwelbury, in Kelsall, besides Royston, be this delyverd.
1480
FEB. 24
John Kyng, I grete yow hartely well; and I understond as well by my frende, Syr William Storar, as by Ric. Browne, that as well my kynnesman Syr John Paston that dede is, as my kynnesman John Paston that now leveth, have ben with yow, and yovyn yow many grete thretis, for that ye acordyng to the trowth, tolde unto them that ye ocupyed my maner of Harwelbury be my leese, and be my ryght. And further more I understond, notwithstondyng the seyde grete thretis, that ye, lyke a full trewe, harty frende, have delyd and fastely abedyn in my tytill, and wolde not retorne to none of them. Wherfor I hartely thank yow; and furthar more to corage yow in yowr fast dealyng, I schew onto yow that I have ryght bothe in law and in concience, wherby I promyse yow on my feythe to defende yow and save yow harmeles for the occupacion of the londe, or any thynge that ye schall doo in my titill a gaynst hym, and it schulde cost me as moche as the maner is worth, and also another tyme to doo as moche for yow, and it ly in my powre, yf ye have ony mater to doo ther as I may doo for yow.
And, also, I here say, by my seid frende, Syr William Storar, and by Ric. Brown, that ye ar of suche substaunce, and of suche trust, and suche favor in the contre ther, that it lithe in yowr powre to do a goode turne for yowr frende.
Wretyn at London, the xxiiijti day of Februari. Be William Paston.
[40.2] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is scarcely necessary to point out that this letter was probably written within a year after Sir John Paston’s death.
[971]
GEORGE, SERVANT TO WILLIAM PASTON, TO JOHN KYNG[41.1]
To John Kyng of Therfeld, in Herdfordshire.