INDENTURE OF LEASE (1446/10/30)

Wood mylle.

This byll jndented mad the xxx daye of Octobere wittenessyth that Agnes Paston hath this daye the xxvti yere of Kyng H. the Sexte letyn to John Downyng, myllere, to Robert Cobbe, and to Robert Eemond my mylle callede Woodmyll for the terme of v yere, paying there-fore yerly to the seyd Agnes, to hire heyres or to hire certeyn attorny, x marke at iiij termes in the yere, that is to sey: at the Natiuit&eacu; of Owre Lord v nobl., and at the fest of the Anunciacion of Owr Lady v nobl., and at the fest of the Natiuit&eacu; of Seynt John the Baptest v nobl., and at the fest of Seynt Michaell v nobl.; to hauen and to helden to the seyd John, Robert, and Robert, doyng the costes of the reparacion, like as the mylleres haue do biforn, fro the fest of Seynt Mychaell last past duryng the terme a-boue seyd. Item, the seyd Agnes hath letyn to the seyd John, Robert, and to Robert the clos next the myll, paying to the seyd Agnes yerly duryng the terme a-boue seyd viij s. In wittenesse where-of the partyes han set here sealis.

Yeuen the daye and the yere a-boue seyd.

INDENTURE OF LEASE (1446/11/10)

The endenture of Palmer of Trunche.

This endenture made the teen day of Nouembre þe yeer of þe regne of Kyng Henry þe Sexte xxvti be-twen Anneys Paston, late the wyff of William Paston, on the ton parte and William Palmer of Trunche on the tothir parte witnessyth þat þe seyd Anneys hathe grauntyd and lete to ferme to þe seyd William Palmer a pece of londe, outetake þe medwe in and of þe same pece, conteynyng be estimacion ix acres in all, lyyng in Trunche feld, to haue and to hold þe seyd pece, outetake þe seyd medwe, to hym, his heires and hys assyngnes, fro the fest of Allehalwyn nowh last paste on-to the terme of teen yeer þan nexte folwyng fully endyd, payyng yeerly there-fore to the lordys of the fee the rentys, seruys and custumys, taxes and talagys of all the holl forseyd pece duryng the terme be-foreseyde. And the seyd William Palmere schall felle and dite the medwe and brynge home all the heie, and stakke it in seche an hous, in þe maner of the forseyd Anneys in Paston, os sche or her debit&eacu; wyll assyng hym; and yf sche kepe houssold there, he schall dyne or suppe there at þe bryngyng home. And the seyd Anneys schall warent the lond clere to the seyd William Palmer on-to þe daye of þe makyng of thise endenture. And yf the forseyd medwe be not dite in good tyme of þe yere, but appeyred or lost throwh þe defaute of þe forseyd Palmer, þat þan it be lawfull to the seyd Anneys or her assyngnes to distreyne op-on the holl forseyd pece of lond on-till the seyd Anneys be satysfyed of the valew of the heye, yf it had well a be dite. In witnesse where-of eche of them to othirs parte haue set her selys.

Youe þe day and þe yeer a-boue seyd.

INDENTURE OF LEASE (1447/11/29)

Wareyn Baxstere of Knapton

This indenture mad on Seynt Andrewes evyn the yere of the regne of Kyng Herry the Sexte xxvj wyttnessyth that it is a-cordyd a-twyx Agnes Paston and Waryn Baxtere that the seyd Waryn shall haue to hym and his heyres, at the wille of the lord of the maner of Knapton, all the londes and tenementes in Knapton that were Richard Redys that he late held to ferme for barly, except a messe conteynyng be estymacion di. acre that was sumtyme Robert at the Medwes, sold to William Boot, and iiij acre j rod sold to John Archall the yongere. And the seyd Waryn shall content and a-gr&eacu; wyth the seyd lord for the fyne of the seyd lond, that be estymasion is cxiiij s. vj d., and aquyte the seyd Agnes of all oder duteys dew to the seyd lord or to any oder persone except William Ward that claymyth xij s., Nicholus Crabbe that claymyth iiij s., and William Foucke that askyth xxviij d. for the seyd lond, be-for the day of the date of this indenture. And he shall pay xvj s. viij d. to Jone, late the wiffe of the seyd Richard Rede, and xxs. to John of Fen to the vse of the chirche of Knapton, and viij s. x d. to the same John to his awne vse. Also he shall pay to the seyd Agnes, on of the executoures of William Paston, xx combes of barly at Candylmes next comyng in fulle payment for all the ferme of the seyd lond. And the seyd Waryn knowlachyd that he is alowyd and content, as wele for that that he can aske of the seyd Agnes as wele for the seyd lond as for all oder thyng. Yowe the day and yere be-forseyd. Wittnes of William Dalton, Lauerans parson of Oxnede, John Fen, and Thomas of Fen. In witness wheroff þe part&eacu;s haue sette her seles.

DRAFT INDENTURE OF MARRIAGE SETTLEMENT (1454)

This indenture made betwix Anneys that was þe wyfe of William Paston, John Paston hir sone, and John Dam on þe one partie and William Clopton, squyer, on þe other partie witnesseth that accord is take attwyn þe seid parties that John Clopton, sone and heir of þe seid William Clopton be þe grace of God, shall wedde Elizabeth, the doughter of þe seid Anneys. For which mareage the seid Anneys, &c., shall paye to þe seid John Clopton ccccth marc. in hand of lawfull mony of England; and ouer that, yf the seid mareage be holdyn with the seid Anneys, the seid Anneys shall bere þe costages þerof þe day of þe weddyng, with swech chaumbyr as shall be to þe plesir of þe seid Anneys. And þe seid William Clopton shall do his feffees make a lawfull estate to þe seid William of londes, tenementz, rentz, and seruysez to þe yerly value of xl li. [[ouer all chargez b]]orn to haue and hold to hym terme of his lyfe withoutyn enpechement of wast, the remaindre þerof to þe seid John and E[[lizabet]]h and to his heires male [[of]] hir body lawfully begotyn withoute enpechement of wast, withynne xij dayes after þe seid weddyng. And ouer that, withynne þe seid xij dayes the seid John shall do lawfull estate to be made to þe seid William of londes, tenementz, rentz, and seruysez to þe yerly value of xl marc. ouer all charges born, to haue and hold to þe seid William terme of his lyfe without enpechement of wast, the remayndre therof to þe seid Elizabeth to haue and hold to hir terme of hir lyfe withoute enpechement of wast. Also it is accorded that þe seid William shall make estate of all þe residue of his londes which he is sesid of, or any other man to his vse, to swech personys as the seid John shall name to þe vse of the seid John. Also the seid John Clopton shall do lawfull estate to be made to þe seid Elizabeth of londes, tenementz, rentz, and seruysez to þe yerly value of xxx li. ouer all chargez born, to haue and hold to hir duryng þe lyfe of the seid William. And moreouer the seid John promytteth and ensureth be þe feith of his body that he shall leve, ouer the xl li. worth lond aboueseid, to his heires and issue male of þe body of þe seid Elizabeth begotyn, londes in fee symple or in taill to þe yerly value of xl marc. in cas þe same issue male be gouernyd to the seid John as the sone oweth to be to the fadir. And &c.

MEMORANDUM OF 'ERRANDS' (1458/01/28)

Erandys to London of Angnes Paston the xxviij day of Jeniuer the yere of Kyng Herry the Sext xxxvj.

To prey Grenefeld to send me feythfully word by wrytyn who Clement Paston hath do his devere in lernyng. And if he hathe nought do well, nor wyll nought amend, prey hym that he wyll trewly belassch hym tyl he wyll amend; And so ded the last mayster, and þe best that euer he had, att Caumbrege. And sey Grenefeld that if he wyll take up-on hym to brynge hym in-to good rewyll and lernyng, that I may verily know he doth hys devere, I wyll geue hym x marc. for hys labore; for I had leuer he were fayr beryed than lost fore defaute. Item, to see who many gownys Clement hath, and tho that be bare, late hem be reysyd; he hathe a chort grene gowne, And a chort musterdevelerys gowne were neuer reysyd, And a chort blew gowne þat was reysyd and mad of a syde gowne whan I was last at London, And a syde russet gowne furryd wyth bevyr was mad this tyme ij yere, And a syde murry gowne was mad this tyme twelmoneth. Item, to do make me vj sponys of viij ounce of troy wyght, well facyond and dubbyl gylt. And sey Elyzabet Paston that che must vse hyr-selfe to werke redyly as other jentylwomen don, and sumwhat to helpe hyr-self ther-wyth. Item, to pay the Lady Pole - xxvj s. viij d. for hyr bord. And if Grenefeld haue do wel hys devere to Clement, or wyll do hys devere, yeffe hym þe nobyll.

DRAFT WILL (1466/09/16)

To all to whom this present writting xal come I, Agnes Paston, late the wife of William Paston, Justice, send greting in God euer-lasting, lating hem know that I, the forseid Agnes, of goode and hole mende the xvj day of Septembre the vj yere of the reigne of Kyng E. the iiijth, and the yere of Our Lord a mlcccc lxvj, make and ordeyn my last will in al the maners, londys, tenementys, rentys, seruicys, mesuagys, and placys that ony person or personis ben seased of to myn vse and behof wyth-in Norwiche, Norffolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshere, or in any othere shere wyth-in Englond, praying and desiring al the personez so feffed to myn vse, after this my will writtyn and inceled vnder my seale be shewed vnto them, that they wol make astate to the persones lemitid in my seid will according. And in asmiche as myn husbond, whos soule God assoile, dyuerse tymes and specialy among othere the 3 day of the moneth, rehersed to me that the lyvelod whiche he had assigned to his ij yongest, William and Clement, by his will in writting was so littill that they mi3t not leve theron wythou3t they shuld hold the plowe be the tayle, and ferthermore seying that he had dyuers oder maners, that is to say the maner of Sporle. Sweynsthorp, and Bekham, which maner of Bekham he was purposed to chaunge wyth the maner of Pagrave, and if he my3t bring it abou3t then xuld on of his ij yongest sones haue the seid maners of Sporle and Bekham and no more, and the other yongest sone xuld haue al the remenaunt, and he that had the maner of Sweynsthorp xuld be bound in a gret some to the Prior of the abbey of Norwiche to paie dayly for euer to the monke that for that day singeth the masse of the Holy Goste in Our Lady chapell in Norwiche, where he purposed to leye his body, euery day iiij d. to sing and pray for his sowle and myn and al the sowles that he and I haue hade any goode of or be beholdyn to pray for. And after that the 3 day of 3 next folowing my seid husbond, lying seke in his bed, in the presens of John Paston, his sone and myn, John Bakton, John Dame, and of me, declared his will towching certein of his childern and me, at whiche tyme he assigned to the seid John Paston the maner of Gressham in honde, and the reuercion of suche lyvelode as he 3ave me after my decesse, askyng hym the question wheder he held hym not content, so seying to him in these termes: 'Sir, and thow do not I doo, for I will not geve so mekyll to on that the remenaunt xal haue to littill to leve on'; at the whiche

PART OF DRAFT WILL (1466)

And after þat þe 3 day of þe monethe my seyd husbond, lyyng sek on hijs bede, sent fore me, John Paston, Bakton, and John a Dame to here hijs wyll rede. And in owre presens all he began to reede hijs wyll and spak fy[r]st of me and assynyd to me the maneris of Paston, Latymer, and Schypden and Ropers in Crowmer fore term of my lyffe, and the manerys of Merlyngforthe, Stonsted, and Horwelbury, wyche wasse myn own enheritans, and Oxned, wyche wasse my jontore; and seyde and [he] hadde do to lityll to ony it wasse to me, for fo[r] me he faryd þe better and so dede he for noo[n] of hem all, but he hadde more to care for wyche myn as well as hys. And þan he red John parte and assynyd to hym and to hys wyffe the maner of Gressam and after my desesse the maner of Oxned; and he, thynkyng by John Pastons demenyng þat he wasse not plesyd be-cause Swynne of slowthe þat hijs wyll wasse not made vp, 'but wat swm euer cwn of me, dame, I wyll 3e know my wyll'; and seyd þat swyche lond as he hadde not wrytyn in hijs wyll, wat xwlde be do wyth-all he wolde hijs ij 3ongest sonnys Wyllam and Clement xwlde haue, and owte of Sweyn- thorpe to haue hijs perpetuell masse. And of thys prayd me to reporte. record, and berre wyttnesse; in qwyche disposicion and intent he cont[i]nuyd on-to þe day off hijs dethe. And I darre rytgh largely deposse þat that sam wasse hijs last wyll the tym of hijs dethe, qwyche wyll inmediatly after my husbondys decesse I hopynd and declaryd to John Paston and al the other excectorys of my husbond, desyeryng hem to haue performyd it. And the seyd John Paston wold in no wysse agree there-to, seyyng þat by the lawe the seyd manerys xulde be hijs, in as moche as my husbonde made no wyll of hem in wrytyn; and gatte þe dedys owte of my possession and estat of the feffeez in þe seyde manerys myn vnknowyng. And after þat swyche tresowre of my husbons as wasse leyd in the abbey of Norwyche by the seyd John Paston, John Bakton, John Dam, and me, to delyuere a3en to vs all ex[cectorys] the seyde John Paston owte of þe seyde abbey, vnknowyn to þe Priour ore ony oder person of þe seyde abbey, and wyth-owte my wetyn and assente ore ony of owre felawys, toke and barre awey all, and kepyng it styll a-3ens my wyll and all the tothere excectorys wyllys, nothere restoryng the seyd Wyllam and Clement to þe forseyd lond nore of my husbondys tresore recompensyng theim and ordeynyng fore my husbondys sowle in hauyng of hijs perpetuell masse acordyn to hys wyll. Werefore in as moche as I know and vndere-stonde verrely þat it wasse my husbondys wyll þe tym of hys dethe þat the seyd Wyllam and Clement xwlde haue the seyd manerys of Sporle, Swey[n]sthorpe, and Bekham, and þe anuyt&eacu; fore hys perpetuell masse to be goyng owte of þe seyde maner of Sweynthorp, and þat they þat be possessioners of the seyd manerys at thys day wyll in no wysse by any fayere menez ore spekyng tendere my seyd husbondys sowle and myn, nere perform the wyll of my seyd husbon, I wyll haue and xall - by the grass of swyche lyuelode as I haue in my possession, þat is for to sey þe maner of Stonsted, Marlyngforthe, and Horwelbury, þat swm tym wasse my faderys and my moderys and cwm on-to me by them as myn enheritans, and after my decesse if I wolde soffere it to desend xwld goo to þe wronge posses[si]oners of the seyd manerys of Sporle, Swe[[yn]]sthorp, and Bekham, qwyche xall not be lettyd fore me but if it be thorow here owne defau[[te]], make, sta[[b]]lesse, and ordeyn myn husbondys p[[er]]pet[[uell]] masse and myn, and of þe remnaunt as swerly as can be made by the lawe I wyll the seyd Wyllam and Clement be recompensyd to þe valew of the seyde manerys of Sporle, Sweynthorpe, and Bekkam 3erly on-to þe tyme þat they be restoryd to þe forseyd manerys of Sporle, Sweynthorp, and Bekkam in lik form and lyke estat, as xall be afterwardys lymytyd in thys my last.

PART OF DRAFT WILL (1466)

pro voluntate Willelmi Paston justiciarij

On the Thurseday at nyght before Our Ladys Day the Assumpcion, betwixt xj and xij of the clokk, in the yere of our Lord God ml cccc and xliiij, the Sondays lettre on the D, died my husbond, God assoyle his sowle. And on the Fryday after I sent for John Paston, William Bakton, and John Dam; and on the Wedynysday after cam John Paston, the Thurseday John Dam and William Bakton. And on the Fryday John Paston, John Dam, and I yode in-to the chambre whyche was Goodredys, and they desyred of me to see the wyll. I lete them see it, and John Dam redde it. And whan he had redde it John Paston walkyd vp and down in the chamer; John Dam and I knelyd at the beddys fete. The sayd John Dam askyd me what was my husbondys wyll shulde be done wyth Sporle, and I sayd it was his wyll that oone of his [[tw]]ayn yongest sonnys shulde haue it. He sayd preuely to me by his feyth he sayd the same to hym. Than the [[sa]]me tyme I lete them see he dede of yiffte which as I suppose was councell to all tho this dede was made on-to till I shewyd it them. And soo they swore all sauf John Paston and John Damme. After t[[hat]] my sonne John Paston had neuer ryght kynde wordys to me. And John Dam askyd me what justice and felowe of his my husbond trustyd most, and I aunsweryd hym as I knewe. [[Th]]an they yede home wyth the body in-to Norffolk and buryed it [[......]]ys whych I had takyn hym in his fadirs lyue whych oon longyd to the coffre at Ox[[nede]] wher-in my dedys were that now be forsworn. Whan my husbondys body was in-to Norffolk I went to Berkyng and [[...]] Michelmas com to Shipleys hows in London. And thider cam John Paston and John Dam and intreted me to put in [[...]] Sweynesthorp and Sporle that John shuld haue it. And I sayd it was neuer my husbondys [[......]] the ad[[uy]]s of my lord of Lyncoln. And John Dam lenyng vp-on a stole, I syttyng by hym, say[[d......]] to a prest to aske hym councell of suche a thyng he wolde nat byde hym dowte, but if he do it and go to the prest he wyll asoyle hym. I yede in-to Seint Elyne chirche and told to William Bakton how they had sayde to me, and told hym I coude not fynde in my herte to sette in the wyll that I knewe wel was the contrary. And he sayde he wolde not councell me therto; and soo we departed. After this cam John Damme and askyd me whyche of the justicys my husbond trusted most, and sayde to me, Be ye not remembrid of suche a day my maister helde wyth Maryott at Norwych?' I sayd, 'Yis, for I was ther my-selfe.' [[he]] sayd to me my husbond toke a certeyn man a thyng wryten and insealed of my husbondys hande, but what was in [[þer]]-in he wyste neuer.

EXTRACT FROM WILL (NOT AFTER 1479)

Also I bequeath to the Whight Fryers of the said city of Norwich, for I am there a suster, to helpe to pay hir debts xx li., which I will be gathered of the arrerage of my lyvelode. also I bequeath to the auter of Gracion of the seid house, wheras mine husband and I have a perpetuall masse a vestment which they have for a prist to judge in of rede satern. Also to the mendinge of the chappell of Our Ladie within the said place, wheras Sir Thomas Gerbredge my grandfather and Dame Elizabeth his wife and Sir Edmond Berry my father and Dame Alice his wife be buried, and Clement Paston my sonn.

NUNCUPATIVE WILL: DRAFT (1449/03/21)

Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum peruenerit nos, Willelmus May, magister Noui Templi London', Johannes Bakton, gentilman, Thomas Parker, ciuis et sissor London', et Johannes Osbern, salutem in Domino sempiternam. Sciatis quod xxj die Marcij Anno Domini mlccccxlviij Edmundus Paston de comitatu Norff', armiger, in bona memoria ac sana mente existens, languens in extremis, in nostra presencia condidit et declarauit testamentum suum nuncupatiuum in hunc modum. In primis, legauit animam suam Deo Omnipotenti, Beate Marie Virgini, et omnibus sanctis, corpusque suum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia Templi predicti siue in ecclesia Fratrum Carmelitarum London'. Item, dictus Edmundus, pro eo quod noluit circa bona siue negocia temporalia mentem siue animam suam affligere seu ocupare, set ad eternam felicitatem se preparare, dedit, legauit, ac comisit omnia bona et catalla sua predilecto fratri suo Johanni Paston, ex magna confidencia in ipso habita vt ea disponeret pro bono anime sue pro vt melius videret Deo placere ac anime sue prodesse. Et dictum Johannem Paston ordinauit et constituit executorem suum. In cuius rei testimonium presentibus sigilla nostra apposuimus.

INDENTURE FOR MILITARY SERVICE (1475/04/07)

This endenture made the vij daye of Aprile the xvth yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the iiij, betwixt the right high and mighty prince Rychard, Duc of Gloucestre, Constable and Admirall of Englond, on the on partie, and Edmond Paston, squyer, on that othyr partie, wyttenessith that the sayd Edmond ys reteyned and withholden with the sayd Duc to do him seruice of werre with the Kyng oure souuerayn lord now in his viage ouir the see for an hol yere at his spere, weell and sufficyently horsed, armed, and arrayed as it apperteyneth to a man of armes, and thre archers, well and sufficiently horsed, herneised, habilled, and arrayed as it apperteyneth to archers, takyng for hym-self xviij d. a daye and for euery archer vj d. by the daye, of the whiche wages the sayd Edmond hath reseyued for the first quarter of the sayd hol yere the daye of the sealing of these presentes, at whiche day the sayd Duc hath yeven knowleche to the sayd Edmond that he shal make moustres of hymself and hys sayd retenue at Portesdown in Hampshire the xxiiijty day of May next commyng or the same daye at any othyr plase vpon resounable warnyng. At that day and tyme the sayd Edmond byndeth hym by thise presentes to appere in hys propyr personne with his sayd retenue. And if it happen the sayd Edmond, aftyr the reseyte of his sayd fyrst paiement, to dicesse or be in suche sykenesse or disease that he may nat be able to come to the sayd moustresse in hys propyr personne, that thanne he shal fynd an able man in his sted with hys sayd retenue to performe his sayd seruise accordyng to the tenure of this endenture, or ellys to repaye to the sayd Duc that money by hym reseyued for hym and hys sayd retenue for the sayd quartere. And for the seconde quartere of the sayd yere the sayd Edmond shalbe payed by the sayd Duc of the wage of hym and of yche of his sayd retenue at the makyng of the mostres of hym and the same his retenue afore such comissioners as shal be deputed ther by the Kyng oure souuerayn lord, at wiche tyme shal begynne the terme of the sayd hole yere and nat affore. And aftyr the sayd moustresse and payement, with Goddes grase, to go to shyp at suche tyme as the Kyng and the sayd Duc shal comaunde theim. And for the othyr half of the sayd yere the sayd Edmond shalbe payed by the sayd Duc for hym-self and hys said retenue on the yondyr syd on the see, monethly in Englyshe money or in money there rennyng to the valu of Englysshe money, so all-waye that the same wages be payed with-in x days aftyr the end of eueryche of the sayd monethes or ell the sayd Edmond to be quited and discharged ayenst the Kyng and the sayd Duc of eny covenaunt specifeyd in these endenture, the same endenture nat withstandyng. And the sayd Edmond shal dvely and truely obeye al the Kynges proclamaciouns and ordinaunces and fulfylle the comaundment of the sayd Duc to his power, and shal make wacche and warde of hym-self and his sayd retenue frome tyme to tyme, whene and as ofte duryng the tyme aboue sayd as he ther-to shall dvly be warned and required by the sayd Duc or hys comiser. And in cas that any moustresse to be mad be-yond the see by the sayd Edmond of hys sayd retenue lakketh any of his nombre of the same othyrwyse than by dethe or sikenesse proued, thane the sayd wages of theim that so shal fayle shalbe rebated vp-on the payement to be made to the sayd Edmond frome tyme to tyme as the cas shall require. Also the sayd Duc shal haue the iijde parte of wynnynges of werre aswell of the sayd Edmond as the iijde of iijdz where-of iche of hys retenue shalbe answeryng vnto hym of there wynnynges of werre duryng the tyme aboue said, be yt prysoners, prayes, or othyr goodes or catalles what-soeuer thei be. And the sayd Edmond , or he or thay that shal so take suche prisoners or prayes, shal shewe vnto the said Duc with-in vj dayes aftire the so takyng aswell the names of the sayd prisoners as theire estate, degr&eacu;, or condicioun, and the quantit&eacu; and valu of the said gettynges bi estimacion, vpon paynne of forfacture of the sayd prysoners and wynnynges aboue sayd. Also the sayd Edmond shal haue almaner prysoners to hys propre vse that shal happe to be takyn by him or by ony of his sayd retenue duryng the tyme aboue sayd, except the iijde of iijdz aboue sayd, the Kynge oure souuerayn lordes aduersary, and all kynges and kynges sonnes, his aduersariers of Fraunce, and also all lieuetenauntz and chifteyns hauyng the sayd aduersariers powere, whiche shalbe and abyd prisoners to our sayd souuerayn lord, for the whyche he shal make resounable aggrement with the takers of theym, except also all othyre kynges, kynges sonnes, prynces, dukes, erles, and chyef capitaynes nat hauyng the sayd aduersariers power, whiche shalbe and abyde prisoners to the said Duc, for the whiche he shal make resounable aggrement with the takers of theim. And if it happen the sayd Duc with-in te sayd yere to dicesse, then the sayd Edmond and hys sayd retenue shal serue out the yere aboue sayd vndyr suche a capitaigne as the Kynge shal assyne and appoynt to haue the rule of hym and hys sayd retenue; and if the sayd Duc be takyn, hurt, or diseased with-in the sayd tyme so that he shal nat be able to do the Kynge seruise of werre, then the sayd Edmond and his retenue duryng the tyme of hys enprisounment, hurt, or disease shal serue oute the same tyme vndir his lyeuetenaunt or comyser. And that all these covenauntz aboue sayd by the sayd Edmond wele and truly to be obserued and kepte the same Edmond byndeth hym-self, his heires and executours to the sayd Duc in the somme of c li. sterlynges by these presentes. In wittenesse where-of the parties aboue sayd to thise present endentures enterchaungeably haue put to theire seales the day and yer aboue sayd.

R. Gloucestre

CLAIM FOR ALLOWANCES: DRAFT (1489-92)

billa Edmundi Paston.

Edmund Paston, receyvour of the Scalys landes, askyth to be allowed of xij li. xij s. viij d. whiche hangith ouer his hede in his accompte made bifore Robert Sharp at the Feste of the Pureficacion of Our Lady laste paste for his costes and expenses for two yeres as hyt apperith in the sayd accomptes. Item, the sayde Edmund askyth to be allowed for his costes and expenses of this yere cxviij s. iiij d., beside his costes commynge and goynge to this accompte. Item, for his rewarde of the saide iij yeres ad placitum dominorum, whereof ys allowed for his costes by the comandement of my lorde=x li. Item, allowed by the

COPY OF WRIT TO SIR ROBERT FYNYS 122A122A> (NONE/

By þe Kyng Tursti and welbelouyde, we grete yow wele; and for asmuche as we been enfourmed þat 3e entend in hasti tyme to lewey and gader vpe the reuenuez and profitez commyng and growyng of and vppon þe maners of Westwode, Estwell, Levelond,Horsmonden, Totyngdon, Eccles, Stondon, and Comebesdane within our count&eacu; of Kent, we for certeyn consideracions vs nowe moeuyng wol and charge you þat from hensse furth 3e laye off your hondes and in no vise entermet of or in þe seid maners or of eny parcell þerof, in gaderyng of rentes ther or other-wise,eny commaundement or writtyng by vs to you yeven or made herbefore to þe contrar&eacu; herof natwithstonding; receyui[n]g þeis oure lettres towardes you for your sufficiaunt discharge in þat partie, nat failing herin as ye wol aunsewer vnto vs at your parilie. Yevyn To Ser Robert Fynys, Knyght The copie of 3e lettre myssyue endossid by þe Kynges awn handes

WILL 123123> (1487/05/18)

in dei nomine, amen. The xviijth day of the moneth of May in the yere of oure Lord God mlcccclxxxvij and in the secund yere of the reign of King Henry the vij I, Dame Elisabeth, late wife of Sir George Brown, knyght, being of hoole mynde and in good memorye, thanked be Allmyghty God, make and ordeign this my present testament and last will yn maner and fourme folowing, that is to say: first, I bequeith my soul to Allmyghty God, our Lady Saint Mary, and to all the holy company of hevon, and my body to be buried withyn the churche of the Blak Freris within Ludgate, with my forsaid housband Sir George; to the whiche place I bequeith xxj li. for my said housbandes soul and myne, our fadres and modres soules, and for all Cristen soules to be praid for; and for xiij trentalles of Saint Gregory to be said and songyn for us and thaym by the freris of the said place, as in diriges and masses with all other obseruaunces belongyng to the same in maner and fourme folowing, that is to wete: in the day or morow after my discesse vij trentallis, and euery weke folowing vnto my monthes mynde oon trentall, and iij trentalles at my monthes mynde biside the solempne dirige and masse that is to be requyred for me at that tyme. And I charge myne executours to see that the premisses be done and perfourmed, and also the said freris to feche me from the place where I die vnto thair said place where I haue lymyted afore to be buried. Also, I wull that, as sone as my body is buryed and th'expenses therof done and paid, that myn executours provide and see that my dettes be contented and paid. Also, I bequeith to the vicare of the churche of Dorking in the county of Surr&eacu; for my forsaid housbandes soul and myne, oure faders and modres, and for all the soules that we be bound vnto to be praid for within the yere after my discesse, as in diriges and masses to be said or song by hym or his deputie, and to haue us specially in remembraunce in thayr memento by oon hole yere, xx s. also, I bequeith to the reparacion of the forsaid churche of Dorking xx s. Also, I bequeith to the parson of Saint Albans in Wodstrete within London, for diriges and masses to be said or song by hym or his deputie in like wise as the vicar of Dorking is charged as is afore rehersed, xxs. Also, I bequeith to the reparacion of the stepull of the said churche of Saint Albans xx solid. Also, I bequeith to the prisoners of Newgate, Ludgate, Kinges Benche, and Mershallsee, to euery of those places, to be praid for, xx d. Also, I bequeith to bedred folkes and other poure housholders, aswell men as women, dwelling within London and without in the suburbis of the same, and moste specially souche as haue knowen me and I thaym, xl s., as by the discrecions and advises of myne executours it shall be thought best to be done. More-ouer, I geue and biqueith to my doughter Mary, to the promocion of her mariage, all my plate and other juelles, with all myne hole apparell and all my stuff of houshold being within my dwelling place or any other within the citee of London or suburbes of the same, that is to say: first a standing cupp of siluer gilt chaced with plompes, weyeng with the cover, knopp, and devise xlij vnces and di.; jtem, a standing cupp of siluer and gilt chaced with flowres, weying with the cover, the knopp, and devise xxvij vnc. and di.; a playn standing cupp of siluer gilt, weing with the cover, the knopp, and the devise xxx vnc.; a standing cupp of siluer and gilt chaced with half plompes, weying with the cover, knopp, and devise xx vnc. and di.; a playn standing cupp of siluer gilt, weying with cover and the knoppe and the deuyse xxvij vnces and an half; a standing cuppe of siluer and gilt, weying with the couer, the knoppe and the deuyse xxvj vnces; a saltseler of syluer and gilte, weying with the couer, the knoppe, and the deuyse xxiij vnces; a saltseler of syluer and gilt without a couer weying xxij vnces and an halfe; a litill saltseler of syluer and gilt, weying with the cover and the knoppe and the deuyse xv vnces and an half; a litell saltseler of syluer and gilt without the couer weyng viij vnces and an halfe; and vj bolles of syluer parcelles gilt weyng iiijxx xviij vnces; and ij peces of syluer with a couer weyng xlviij vnces; a dosen and a half of siluer sponys weying xxiij vnces; and iij sponys of syluer and gilt weying iij vnces and iij quartrons; and a long spone of syluer and gilt for ginger weying j vnce and iij quartrons; jtem, a chafing disshe of syluer weying xxvj vnces; and two litell crewettes of syluer weying viij vnces; a chalese of syluer and gilt with the paten weying xj vnces; an haly water stok of siluer with the lid, handill, and spryngill weying xij vnces; an Agnus with a baleys, iij saphires, iij perlys, with an jmage of Saint Antony apon it; and a tablet with the Salutacion of Our Lady and the iij Kingis of Collayn; a bee with a grete perle, a dyamond, an emerawde, iij grete perlys hanging apon the same; a-nother bee with a grete perle with an emerawde and a saphire weying ij vnces iij quarters; a pece of the Holy Crosse, crossewise made, bordured with siluer aboute; iij brode girdilles, oone of tawny silke with bokill a[nd] pendaunt, a-nother of purpill with bokyll and pendaunt, and the iijde of purpill damaske with bokell and pendaunt and vj barres of siluer and gilt; and iij brode harnysed girdilles, oone white tisshew, a-nother red tysshewe gold, and the iijde a playne grene coorse; a muskeball of gold weying halfe an vnce; and ij bokilles and two pendauntes of gold, oone playne and the other pomisyd, weying an vnce and a quarter; and a harnysed girdill enameled with rowsclare weying halfe an vnce; a dymysoynt with a rubye and an amatyste weying j vnce and an halfe; an harnysed girdill of golde of Damaske, with a long pendaunt and a bokill of golde chekkyd, weying j vnce; a grete bed of a-state of verdure and a counterpoynt to the same; and iiij curteyns of grene tartron; a grete federbed; a bolstere; and vj fetherbeddys ouer-woren; vj bolsters; and iiij mattarasses lytyll ouer-woren; xij pellowes of downe; v newe carpettys of ij ellys in lengeth and yarde and halfe brode; iij fyne pelow beres; and a grete counterpoynt of tapstery werk of v yardes and a quarter longe and iiij yardes brode; a hanging for a chamber of grene say borduryd with acrons of xxxv yerdes longe; a whyte spervyour; ij counterpoyntes; an hanging bed with a lyon thereapon and the valence white, grene, and red, and iiij blew courtens to the same; and two couerlettes with lyons; a blak testour for a bed with iiij blak curtens and vj pecys of blak hanging to the same; ij cusshens of blak velvet; a cusshyn of blak damask; a cusshen of grene worstede; a long cusshen of blewe saten figure; a blak coueryng for a bed of borde Alisaunder; and xj peces of grene saye borduryd with acorns to hang with a chambre; a vestment of blak velwet with orfrayes browderyd with my saide husbondys armes and myne; an awbe; j chesyppill with a stole and all that belongeth therto; ij corporas casys of cloth of gold; j olde vestment; an awbe; an awter clothe wyth the jmage of 3our Lorde; a corporas case of blewe cloth of golde, a-nother of blewe saten and russet; an awter clothe of staynyd werke; and iij stenyd clothes with jmagis in them to hang a chapell; ij awter clothes of white sylke with red crosses; and ij curtens with white frengis and red; and iiij curtens, ij of rayed sarsenet and two of grene; an awter clothe; a litell pece of grene tartron; a payer of fustyans of iiij breddys iij yerdys iij quarters long; a paire of fyne shetys ouerworne of iiij yerdes brede; an hede shete; and iij payer of newe shetys of iij levis of iij ellys and an half long; and two payer of shetys of ij levis and an half long; and iij hedshetys of ij bredys; and vj paiere of shetys ouer-worne of ij levis; and vj paier of houshold shetis; and two paier of wollen blankettes; and a violet gowne furryd with martrons; a blak gowne furryd with gray; a blak gowne furryd with white; a blak gowne furryd with ma[r]trons; and a nyght gowne of blak furryd with martrons; a kirtill of tawny chamlet; a purfill of ermyns of ij skynne depeth and iij yardys and an half long; a purfill of martrons of j skynne deppeth and iiij yardis long; a purfill of shankes of ij skynne deppeth and iiij yardis long; a bonet of poudred ermyns;and a pece of cloth of golde with dropis which was of a duplade; and a dosen of diaper napkyns of floure delyce werke and crownes; and a dosen and a half of naptkyns of playne clothe with blew pelowers; and a pece of clothe of diaper werke to make with a dosen naptkyns; a bordecloth of floure delice werk and crownes of x yardis and an half long and iij yardis brode; and a-nother bordecloth of floure delyce werk and crownes viij yardes and a half long, ij yardes and a quarter brode; a towell of diaper of flower delice werke and crownys of xxti yardys long and iij quarters brode; a-nother towell of flower delice werke and crownys of iij quarters brede and xviij yardes long; a-nother of latise werke and diaper of iij quarter brede, xiiij yerdes di. long; a-nother towell of iiij greynys and a fret of viij yerdes di. long; a-nother towell of latise werk and crownys vj yerdes and di. long and iij quarters brede; and two towellis of great diaper werk iij yerdes and a quarter long and iij quarter brode; and a pece of new creste clothe conteygnyng xxiij ellys; and two towellys of great diaper werkes of xiiij yerdes long and iij quarter in brede; and vij grete cofers, v chestis, ij almaryes like a chayer, and a blak cofer bounden with jron; vj yoyned stoles; iiij kaskettys; v litell ioynyd stoles; a litill table ij yerdes long; a rounde table; ij trestelles; ij garnysshe and di. of pewter vessell counterfete, wherof j garnysshe and di. is newe; and vj great kandelstikkis newe of laton, and iiij newe bellyd kandelstikkis ; ij litill kandelstikkes; vij basens of pewater; and v brasse pannys, of the which oon is xvj galons and two of them of viij gallons a pece; and the other ij more lesse; a grete standing chafere of laton with a lyon apon the lydde; ij chafers of brasse, and ij litill brasse pottys; ij grete cobardys and ij othere cobardys more and lesse; ij fyer pannys; a lityll skelet; a ladill and a scomer of laton; ij colondyrs; ij spyttys; ij dreping pannes of jron; iij dressing knyfys; ij lechyng knyfys; ij choppyng knyfys; a tryvet; a brasen morter with a pestell of jron; ij stone morters; ij gredyrons; j payer of potte hokys, a flesshe hoke, and a kolerake. Prouydid alwey that myn executours, by the aduyse of myn ouerseers, ordeigne and put in safegarde, to be kept after my discease in-to som religious place vnto the day of my said doughters mariage, and to the behofe and promocyon of the same, all and euery part of the forsaid plate and juelx, with all other stuffe of houshold by me to her as is aboue written yoven and bequethed, except souche stuffe as canne not be kept from mowghtes, which I will she haue the rule and gouernaunce of for the safegarde of the same and for her wele. And if my saide doughter Mary dye vnmaryed, then I yeve and bequethe all the forsaid plate, with all other stuffe of housholde, to my soon Mathewe her brothere. And if it fortune that he dye vnmaryd, as God forfende. then I yeve and bequeth all and euery part of my forsaid plate, juelx, and stuffe of housholde vnto my soon Sir Edward Ponyngis. And yef it fortune the said Edward to dye, as God defende, that then all the forsaid juelx and other stuffe aboue written, except a playne standing cuppe of syluer and gilt with the couer, the knoppe, and the deuyse of the same, with gryffons hede in the botom wrought apon blewe asure, weying xxvj vncis, which I geve to my doughter in lawe Dame Isabell Ponyngis, be dyuydyd by th'advice of the ouerseers of this my present testament and last wille, and euynly to be departid vnto Antony Browne and Robert Browne, my brethern-in-lawe, they to do with it thaire fre wille. And as touching myne Agnus, tablettes with dyamondys, saphires, perlys grete and small, crosses , gurdillis, dymyseyntes, gownys, with all other thingis longing to myne apparayle as is aboue written, yef it fortune my said doughter Mary decease I geve and bequethe all and euery part of it to my kynnyswoman Margaret Hasslake. And if the said Margaret dye, that then all the said apparell particularly written before remaigne to my said doughter-in-lawe Dame Isabelle Ponyngys. Also, xx merc. which I lent vnto my son Ser Edward Ponynges I woll that it be destributyd by the discrecion of myn executours and ouerseers among souche as been knowen my seruauntys at the day of my discease. The residue of all my singuler goodes, catallys, and juellys, after my dettys payde and my bequestes parfourmed and fulfyllyd and burying done, I geve and fully bequeth to my sonnys Ser Edward Ponyngis and Mathew Browne, and theym to dispose and do theire fre wille to pray and to do for my soule as they wolde I sholde do for them, as they will aunswere afore God. And of this my testament and last wille I make and ordeigne myne executours my forsaid sonnes Ser Edward Ponyngys and Mathew Browne, and theire superuysours Humfrey Conyngesby and Richard Tuke. And I bequeth to euery of myne executours for thaire labour lx s., and to euery of myne ouerseers for thaire labours xl s. In wittenesse hereof I, the said Dame Elizabeth, to this my present test[a]ment and last wille haue put my seale. Youen at London the day and yere abouesaide. <div1.note>LATIN</div1.note> Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum coram domino apud Lamehith xxvjto die mensis Junij anno Domini supradicto, ac approbatum, &c. Et commissa fuit administracio &c. Matheo Browne, filio eiusdem et executori, &c., de bene, &c. Ac de pleno jnuentario, &c. citra festum Sancti Petri quod dicitur Aduincula, reseruata potestate committendi &c. Edwardo Ponynges, militi, executori, &c. <P PASTON LETTERS> </div0><div0 au=JOHN_PASTON_1>

MEMORANDUM (1452LATE)

Itt is to remembre vndere hos rule that þe gode lord is at this day, and whiche be of his new cownseyll. Item, that Debenham, Lee, Tymperl&eacu;, and his old cownseyl and attendans, as well as þe gode ladijs servawntys, be avoydyd, and Tymperl&eacu; of malys apelyd of treson. Item, that þe sescionys of þe pees wyth-owte cawse was warnyd in þe myddys of hervest, to grette trobill of the contr&eacu;, whiche was nevere se in Norffolk at seche tym of the yere; and itt was vnlawfully warnyd to appere wyth-inne iiij or v days aftere þe warnyng, howbeitt þe contr&eacu; was before warnyd at þe shyere day to have had þe sescionys the Tewysday before Michelmes. Item, þat at þe seid sescionys was non othere cawse of settyng thereof declaryd but a commysyon beryng dat before Estern, &c., to arest, take, and expungne traytorys and rebellys, of which be Goddis grace is no nede in this contr&eacu; at þis tyme, &c. Item, be þe demenyng of þe seyd sescionys was verily conseyvid be þe jantylmen of þe shyere þat it was set of purpose to have be indytementys defowlyd seche personys as were of þe old cownseyl wyth þe seid lord, and seche as kepe Wodhows lond, or seche as help or confort Osbern Munford, Marchale of Kalys, in his rygth of the manere of Brayston, of whiche he is now late wrongfully dyssesyd; and generally to have hurt all othere that wold not folwe þe oppynyons of þe seyd new cownseyll, &c., whiche malysiows purposid oppynyon þe jantylmen of þe seyd shyere þat were sworyn att þe seyd sescions kowd not fynde in her conciens to observe, but dede þe contrarye as it apperyth be here verdyte if itt be shewed, &c. Remembre þe verdyt of Brayston, &c. And where on Rogere Chirche, wyth on Robert Ledham, Charlys Nowell, John son of Hodge Ratcleff, and on Robert Dallyng had þe rewle and kepyng of þe seyd manere of Brayston to the vse of Thomas Danyell aftere þe dyssesing of þe seyd Osbern Monford, the seyd Rogere, be þe comon ascent of his seyd felashep, be þe colowre of xv personys gadderid be þe exitacion of þe seyd Rogere Chyrche and his felashep, accusid many notable and thryfty men that were well willid to þe seyd Munford for þe seid maner of Brayston to be ryseris, where as þe seyd thrifti men aswell as all þat contr&eacu; hath at all tymys be pesyble and of non seche disp[o]sicion. It was purposid after þe seid sescions, whan þe intentys of þe seyd new cownseyl mygth not be executyd be indytementys, than to have had þe seyd Roger Chirche owte of þe Kyngys gayle, seying þat he shuld appele for þe Kyng, and wold have do þe sheryff delyverid hym owte of preson howbeit he was comyttyd thiddere be þe justyse of assyse and gayl delyver&eacu; be-cawse he was indytyd of fellonye and þat þer apperid not suffycient inquest to delyuer hym. Item, Day seth þey labour feynid materis to hurt jentilmen and odir be soch acusementis, &c. Memorandum, as itt semyth be þe confescion of dyvers of þe seid xv personys þat þei were innocent and knew not whi þei assemelyd but only be þe excitacion of þe seyd Chirche and his menys, and after þe tym þat þey conseyvid itt was do to no good intent þei neuer medillid forþer in þe mater. Item, to remembre how suttely þe seyd Chirche was be his owyn assent led to my lord of Norffolk be his owyn felashep, to þe entent to accuse and defame seche as they lovyd nott. Memorandum of þe sescion at Norwich. Memorandum of my lord of Somerset and of þe Blakfrers. Memorandum þat Charlys Nowell is baly of Brayston and hath there ij d. on þe day, and of þat matere growyth his malys. Item, Memorandum of them that for fer of disclosid of her falsenes acusid odyr þat þey shuld not be thowth gilti hemsellf, and labour to haue þe matere handlid be her frend, þat þe trowth shuld not be trijd owt.

NUNCUPATIVE WILL OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF (1459/11/03)

copia voluntatys Fastolf

Anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo nono, mensis Novembris videlicet die Sabbati proximo post festum Omnium Sanctorum, Johannes Fastolff, miles, de comitatu Northfolchie, Norwicensis diocesis, in manerio suo de castre, dicte diocesis, quoad bona sua immobilia suam vltimam declarauit voluntatem prout sequitur:

John Fastolff, knyght, the secunde and þe thirde day of the moneth of Nouembre, the yere of the reigne of King Henry the Sexte aftir the Conquest xxxviij yers, being of longe tyme, as he said, in purpos and wille to [[fo]]unde and stablissh withynne the gret mansion at Castre by hym late edified a college of vij religious men, monkes or seculer prestes, and vij porefolke, to pray for his soule and þe soulys of his wife, his fad[[ir]] and modir, and other þat he was beholde to, imperpetuit&eacu;; and forasmuch as he had, as he rehercid, a very truste and loue to his cosyn John Paston, and desired the parfourmyng of the purpoos and wille forsa[[i]]d to be accomplisshed, and that the said Sir John shulde not be mevid ne sterid in his owne persone for þe said accomplisshing of þe said purpoos and wille, ne with noon other worldly maters but at his oune request and plesire, wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that the said John Paston shalle, withynne resonable tyme aftir þe dissese of þe said Sir John, doo founde and stablissh in þe said mansion a college of vij monkes or prestes and vij porefolke, forto pray for the soulys abouesaid imperpetuit&eacu;; so that one of the said monkes or prestes be maister, and haue x li. yerely, and ich oþir monke or preste x marc. yerely, and ich of the porefolke xl s. yerely, and þat the said John Paston shalle make sure to the said collegions a sufficient roume and a competent and an esy duelling place in the said mansion, the said collegions nor her successours bering no charge of reparacion therof. For which, and for othir charges and labours þat þe said John Paston hath doon and take vppon hym, to þe eas and profite of þe said John Fastolf, and for othir consideracions by hym rehercid, the said Sir John Fastolff wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that þe said John Paston shalle haue alle þe maners, landes, and tenementes in North[folk], Southfolk, and Norwich in which the said John Paston or any other are or were enfeffed or haue title to þe vse of the said Sir John Fastolf; and at alle þe feffees infeffed in þe said maners, londes, and tenementes shalle make and deliuer astate of þe said maners, landes, and tenementes to such persones, at such tymes, and in such forme as þe said John Paston, his heirs, and his assignes shalle requere thaym or any of thayme. And that the said John Paston shall pay to othir of the said Sir Johns executours iiij ml marc. of laufulle money of England in þe fourme þat folweth, that is to say: where þe said Sir John hadde apointed and assigned that his executours shalle, þe firste yere aftir his disses, dispoos for his soule and parfourmyng his wille a ml marc. or a ml li. of money, and yerely aftir viij c marc. tille þe goodes be disposed, the said John Paston shalle pay iche othir yere þe said summe of viij c marc. tille þe summe of iiij ml marc. be paid, so þat þe said mevabill goodes shalle þe lenger endure to be disposed, by þ' avise of his executours, for þe said soulys. And also þe said Sir John said, forasmuch as it was the very wille and entent of þe said Sir John þat the said John Paston shulde be thus avauntaged and in no wise hurte of his propir goodes, therefore þe said Sir John wolde [and] graunted that if the said John Paston, aftir the dissese of the said Sir John, by occasion and vnlaufulle trouble in þis reame, or by mayntenaunce or myght of lordes, or for defaute of iustice, or by vnresonable exaccions axid of hym for þe licence of þe said fundacion, withoute coveyne or fraude of hym-selue, be lettid or taried of þe making or stablesshing of þe making of þe said fundacion, that thanne he fynde or doo finde yerely aftir þe first yere of the dissese of the said Sir John vij prestes to pray for þe said soulys in þe said mansion, if he can purvey so many, or els for asmany prestes as faile yeue yerely aftir þe said first yere, by þ' auise of his executours, to bedredmen and othir nedy true pepille asmuch money in almose for the said sowlys as the salary or findyng of the prestes so faillyng is worthe or amounteth to, vnto the tyme he may laufully and peasably founde the said college and doo his true devir for the said fundacion in the meane tyme. And the said Sir John Fastolf wolde, graunted, and desired faithfully alle the resedewe of his executours and feffees to shewe the said John Paston fauoure in the said paymentes and daies, and help hym for the Kinges interesse and the eschetours, and furthir hym in that thay may in alle othir thinges as they wolde doo to hym-selue, and not vex ne inquiete hym for the said fundacion in the meane tyme. Ande where the said Sir John Fastolf made his wille and testament the xiiij day of June in somer last passed, he wolde, graunted, and ordeyned that this his wille touching thes premissez, aswelle as the said wille made the said xiiij day, except and voided oute of his said wille made the said xiiij day alle that concerneth or perteyneth to the fundacion of a college, priory, or chauntery, or of any religious persones, and alle that concerneth the sale or disposing of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, wherof this is the very declaracion of his full wille, stand and be ioyntly his very enteir and laste wille, and annexed and proued togedir. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, knyght, the Tuysday next before the fest of All Saintes, and in þe moneth of Septembre the said yere, and the iij day of Novembre, and diuerse other tymes, at [[Ca]]stre aforesaid, wolde, ordenyd, and declared his wille touching the making of the said college, aswelle as the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes in Norffolk, Suffolk, and Norwich, in fourme, manere, and substance aforeseid. Also the said Sir John wolde and ordeyned that, if the said John Paston by force or myght of any othir desiring to haue the said mansion were letted to founde the seid college in the said mansion, that thanne the said John Paston shulde doo poule doun the said mansion and euery stone and stikke therof, and do founde iij of the said vij prestes or monkes at Saincte Benettes, and one at Yermuth, one at Attilbrugh, and one at Sainte Oloves church in Southwerk. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, the iij and the iiij daies of the moneth of Nouembir aforesaid, desired his said wille in writyng touching the fundacion of the said college and the graunte of the said maners, landes, and tenementes to the said John Paston to be redde vnto the said Sir John; and that same wille redde and declared vnto hym articulerly, the said Sir John Fastolf wolde, ordeyned, and graunted that the said John Paston shulde be discharged of the payment of the said iiij ml markes, and noght pay therof in case he did execute the remenaunte of the said wille. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, knyght, aboute the tyme of hervest the yere of þe reigne of King Henry the Sexte xxxvth yere, at Castre faste by Mikel Yermuth in the shire of Norffolk, in presence of diuers persones that tyme called to by the said Sir John, did make astate and feffement and liuerey of the season of the maner of Castre aforesaid, and othir maners, landes, and tenementes in Norffolk, to John Paston, squier, and othir; and at that lyuerey of season therof deliuered, aswelle by the handes of the said Sir John as by other, the said Sir John Fastolf by his owne mouth declared his wille and entente of that feffement and liverey of season made to the vse of the said Sir John asfor during his live onlye, and aftir his decese to the vse of the said John Paston and his heirs. And also the said Sir John said and declared that þe said John Paston was the best frende and helper and supporter to the said Sir John, and that was his wille that the said John Paston shulde haue and enherite the same maners, landes, and tenementes and othir aftir his decese, and there to duelle and abide and kepe householde; and desired Davn William Bokenham, Priour of Yermouth, and Raufe Lampet, squier, Bailly of Yermouth, that tyme present, to recorde the same. Also the said Sir John Fastolf, the vj day of July next aftir the tyme of the sealing of his wille made the xiiij day of June the xxxv of King Henry the Sexte, and aftir in þe presence of Davn William Bokenham, that tyme Prioure of Yermouth, and other, wolde, ordeyned, and declared [[his]] wille that the said John Paston shulde haue alle thynges as the said Sir John had graunted and declared to the said Prioure and othir at the tyme of the said [[asta]]te and feffement made to the [[said]] John Paston the said xxxv yere of King Henry the vjth, the said Sir John seyng that he was of the same wille and purpoos as he was and [[decla]]red at the tyme [[of th]]e said astate takyng. Also the said Sir John wolde that John Paston and Thomas Howes, and noon othir of his executours, shulde selle alle mane[[rs]], landes, and tenementes in whiche any persones were enfeffed to the vse of the said Sir John, excepte the said maners, landes, and tenementes in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Norwich; and the same John Paston and Thomas Howes shalle take and receyve the profites, ysshueys, and emolumentes commyng of the said maners, landes, and tenementes, excepte before except, tille thay may resonably be solde; and that the said John Paston and Thomas the money commyng of the same sale, aswelle of the said proufites, ysshuys, and emolumentes, shulde dispoos in dedys of almose for the soule of the said Sir John and the soulys aforesaid, and [[in]] executyng of his wille ande testament. And also the said Sir John wolde that alle the feffees enfeffed in the said maners, landes, and tenementes assigned to be solde, whanne thay be required by the said John Paston and Thomas Howes, shalle make astate to persone or persons as the said John Paston and Thomas shalle selle to the said maners, landes, and tenementes, or any parte therof; and that noon othir feff&eacu; nor the executours of the said Sir John shall make any feffement, relece, ne quitaunce of any londes before assigned to be solde þat wer at any tyme longing to the said Sir John, withoute þe assente of the said John Paston and Thomas Howes. datum anno Domini, mense, die, et loco supradictis.

INVENTORY AND INDENTURE: DRAFT (1462/06/06)

A remembrauns of the goodes that somtyme were Ser John Fastolffes, mad be John Paston aftir such examinacions and writyngges as he can fynd: First, in goold and siluer coyned = mlmldcxliij li. x s. Item, in plate of siluer gilt and ongilt xiij mllxvij vnc. price gilt ij s. x d. ongilt ij s. vj d. amountyng to the somme of a

mldcxv li. sterlynges Item, in plate at London of siluer gilt and ongilt mlmldxxv vnc. prised, &c. wyth a cuppe and a peson of gold weyng xlvj vnc. prise the vnc. xx s. in all, amountyng to the somme of = ccciiijxxij li. xx d. sterlynges

Summa totall of coyne and plate prised = iiijmldcxl li. xj s. viij d.

Item, jowelis, nowches, and presious stones not prised: ij cuppes of goold and ij ewers weyng = lxxv vnc. Memorandum of a flaket and ij prekettes of siluer weying lxv vnc. lying wyth the seid cuppes. Item, jowellis leyd to plegge be my lord of York to Ser John Fastolff for vjc mark, that is to sey A gret diamant in a white rose. A ragged staff wyth diuers presious stones deliuerid to the Kyng by the assent and comaundement of my lord of Caunterbury. Item, a gret crosse of gold wyth a flatte diamant, a flat rubye, and iij gret perlis. Item, a litell nowche of gold mad chernell wise, wyth a poynted dyamant, a rubie, and iij perlis. Item, a-nother nowche mad fawcon wise, enamelid wyth white, a bukle of gold. Item, an other nowche mad treyfowle wise, wyth an emerawd in the middes wyth a long perle hangyng. Item, a ryng of Sent Lowes wyth a ston therin. Item, a litell cheyne of gold wyth a perle hangyng therby and ij spangell of gold. Item, a powche of blew velwet wyth pearlis therin ensealid. Item, a litell purse sealid, and therin certeyn seales of siluer broken, and a signet of gold. Item, a nowche of gold of the facion of a busshell, wyth a baleys, a safer loseynge, a greet orient pearle, and a square diamant, losenged wyth a strike of gold, garnysshed wyth iij rubies and iiij pearlis wyth iij pendauntes of gold. Item, a box of blak leder, a nowche of gold after the facion of a rote, wyth a gret safer and a gret perle set therin. Item, an nowche of gold after the facion of an aungell, wyth a flat dyamaunt loseyngewise wyth a dyamant flourrid, a rubye in the middes, and ij gret moder perlis on eyther side of the aungell. Item, an other nowche of gold mad aftir the facion of a jentilwoman, and therin a dyamant poynted square, a rubye and an emerawde in the middes, and ij gret orient perlis. Aras. Item, on hooll bed of aras of the largest assise, seler, tester, and coueryng, wyth a jentilwoman sittyng in a chayer. Item, viij costers of aras, wherof somme grete and some smalle, wherof on is of the sege of Phalist, an other of the shepperdes and her wifes, an other of the Morys daunse, an other of Jason and Launcelet, an other of a batayle, on of the coronacion of Our Lady, a-nother of the Assumpcion of Our Lady. As for an jnuentary of the warderobe and of beddyng [[and]] all stuffe of howsold remaynyng at Caster, the seid Paston hath no very knowlech ner informacion therof except of such parcellis as he reseyvid at the tyme of his first dwelling at Caster, wherof the parcellis be specified in a note of an indenture wretyn vpon the bak of this bille. Item, the seid John Paston giueth like answere as for an jnue[n]tar&eacu; of spendyng mony, ryngges and jowellis, clothes, silk, lyne, wollen, bokes Frenshe, Latyn, and Englyssh remaynyng in the chambre of the seid Fastolff. Item, in like wise as for an jnuentarie of the warderobe, beddyng, and all other stuffe of howsold remaynyng at Southwerk, the seid Paston hath no certeyn informacion therof, ner non cam to his handes except on bed specifijd on the bak of this bille. Item, as for an jnuentarie of quykke catell, there were goyng upon the maners iijml shep be estimacion prised ich ml at an c mark, except certeyn shep were taken a-wey be fors. Item, as for all hors and other catell, the seid Paston hath non informacion of it except of on ambelyng hors whech was shulderid and marrid. Item, as for an jnuentar&eacu; of all dettes, aswell be obligacion or be acompt or otherwise diew to the seid Ser John Fastolff, the seid John Paston hath no certeyn informacion therof, ner he neuir reseyvid any part therof. Here is as moch as the seid Paston can make at this tyme touchyng the seid jnuentarie wyth-out sight and exam[in]acion of old jnuentaries and remembrauns and obligacions of creditores whech he hath not in his possession. Item, of old peces of velwet, reed and roset, to make of jakettes. Item, a furre of martirs to the valew of xviij s. be estimacion. Item, as for the remnaunt of the stuffe, plate, coyne, and jowellis conteynid in the seid jnuentari, Paston hath no maner of knowlech where it is kept or lyght at this day, except only of the seid ij cuppes and ewres of gold, and the seid iij nowches conteynid in the seid blak box of leder; whech cuppes, ewres, and nowches remayne in such plase as thei were first leyd be the seid John Paston and Ser Thomas Howes. Here folowen the reseytes of John Paston of the parce[[lles]] aboueseid: Memorandum of the sommes and parcelles of coyne and plate wythinne wretyn come to the hands and sole kepyng of wythinne wretyn John Paston: in coyne = ml xliij li. vj s. viij d. Item, in plate in Norffolk = iijml dcccclxviij vnc. valewed after the prise wythinne wretyn = dxij li. x s. Item, in plate at London = cccxxxiiij vnc. dj. after the valew and prise wythinne wretyn = xliiij li. ij s. vj d. summa mldiiij xx xix li. xix s. ij d. Item, of the prise of shep wythinne wretyn, after the nombre that remayned not take awey Item, as for all stuffe of howsold wythinne wretyn or any other stuffe that was the seid Ser John Fastolffes, of gonnes or artillrye remaynyng in the plase at Caster, the seid John hath reseyvid the parcellis vndir wretyn to the valew of xl or l mark be estimacion, and nomore to his knowlech; whech goodes the seid Ser John Fastolff neuer intended to voyde from the seid John Paston ner owt of the seid plase, but to haue left it bettir stuffid, as it is wele knowe. This endenture mad at Caster the vj day of June the yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the iiijth the second witnessith that there remaynid in the place at Caster certeyn stuff of housold, that is to sey in the warderobe-xj peyre blankettes. Item, xvj peyre shetes and on old shete, wherof iij peyre be of iij webbis. Item, viij wovyn couerlites. Item, ij donges. Item, v smale fetherbeddes. Item, vj traunsomes. Item, v carpettes. Item, ij costeres of tapsery werk of huntyng, for the gret chamber ouer the halle. Item, on coster of tapseri for the somer halle. Item, ij costeris of reed tapsery pleyn. Item, j coueryng of pleyn tapsery. Item, iij white beddis wyth the selours and testeres. Item, ix curteyns. Item, iij purpoyntes of white lynen cloth. Item, a selour, j tester of white lynen cloth. Item, j coster of tapseri of jentilwomen pleying at the cardes. Item, j pece of grene say poudrid wyth levys. Item, j curteyne. Item, j pece of grene say. Item, iij old shetes. In Inglose chambre Item, j fedirbed. Item, j traunsom. Item, j selour, j tester aras, wyth a coueryng to the same. Item, iij redde curteyns of say. Item, j banker of tapseri. Item, iiij costers of tapseri werk. Item, j peyre blankettes. Item, xij koshyns of tapseri. In my Master Fastolffes chambre Item, j fedirbed. Item, j traunsom. Item, j selour,j tester of tapseri wyth jentilmen and jentilwomen. Item, j coster of tapseri. Item, j coster party white and grene wyth mapill levis. Item, in the warderobe Item, ij towaylis of diaper werk ich x yardes long. Item, iiij napkyns of diaper. Item, iiij tabill clothes of diaper. Item, v pleyn clothes. Item, j towayle of pleyn clothe. Item, ij old clothes. Item, iiij cuppebord clothis. Item, vj pillows of diuers sortes. Item, iij old pillows coueryd wyth lynen cloth. Item, ij lavendre pokes. Item, ij litill pillows stuffid wyth downe. Item, in the white chambre. Item, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, in the warderobe chambre, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, j selour reed. Item, j peyre blankettes. In the chambre next the somyr halle, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, j selour, j tester. Item, a coueryng of reed tapseri wyth iij curteyns of tarteryn. Item, j peyre fustiens. Item, iiij costers of coors tapseri. Item, j fedirbed for a paylet. Item, j peyre blankettes. Item, j cuppebord cloth. Item, ij pillows. Item, in the inner chambre. Item, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, j selour, j tester, j coueryng of boord Alisaundre wyth iij curteyns of white lynen clothe. Item, j coster of tapseri. In the vtter ward in Bokkyngges chambre Item, j fedirbed, j traunsom. Item, j selour, j tester, wyth popeleres. Item, j peyre blankettes. Item, ij couerlytes. Item, in the kechyn. Item, vij pottes of brasse, wherof iiij grete, iiij smale. Item, j chafor of laton. Item, iij spittes. Item, ij rakkes. Item, a ladill of brasse. Item, ij chaforis of brasse. Item, ij lache pannys. Item, ij chariours of peutir. Item, xj disshis. All whech Ser Thomas Howes, be the handes of John Russe, hath deliuerid to Richard Calle to deliuer to hise mastir John Paston the older, squier, at his comyng to housold to Caster. Wretyn the day and yere a-boueseid. Item, of the stuffe of howsold in Southwerk deliuered to John Paston, a bed of white lynen cloth wyth shetes and blankettes and a bed and a curyng. Item, ij gonnes wyth viij chambers shetyng a stone of vij inch thyk, xx vnch compas. Item, ij lesser gonnes wyth viij chambers shetyng a stone of v inch thyk, xv vnch compas. Item, a serpentyng wyth iij chambers shetyng a ston of x inch cumpas. Item, a-nother serpentyn shetyng a ston of vij inch cumpas. Item, iij fowlers shetyng a ston of xij inch cumpas. Item, ij short gonnes for shippes wyth vj chambers. Item, iij smale serpentynges to shete pellettes of leed. Item, iiij gonnes lying in stokkes to shete pellettes of leed. Item, vij hande gonnes wyth other apparell longyng to the seid gonnes. Item, xxiiij paveyz of elm bord, ij of baleyn. Item, viij white harneys of old facion. Item, x peyre breganders, febill. Item, xiiij jakkes of horn, febill. Item, j white jak. Item, x basenettes, xxiiij salettes, vj gorgettes. Item, xvi malles led. Item, ix billes and other peces harneys and wepon, and cappis of spelter and wyer of litell valew. Item, iiij gret crossebows of stell, ij of baleyn, iiij of ew. Item, ij haberions and a barell to skore hem.

INVENTORY: DRAFT (1464/04)

This is the plate þat was in my cofir at Norwich. A chaleys of goold playne, weyng ij pound. Item, a-nother chaleys of goold with this writyng, Calicem salutaris accipiam, weyng xix vnc. Item, on table of gold with an jmage of Sen James set with precious stonys, weyng xiij vnc. iij quart. Item, on peyre of sensers of siluer and gilt with scripture, viz in the first part Datum est eis, &c., and in the second parte Ascendit fumus, weying xiij li. and x vnc. Item, on box of siluer and gilt for the sacrement, with a crosse in the heyght and chased with lilijs, weying v li. iij vnc. di. Item, on potte callid a crismatorie to put in holy creme and oyle of siluer and gilt, weying j li.

MEMORANDUM (1464/04)

This is þe parcell be indentur receiued by Richard Calle of [[...]] day of Aprile þe forthe yer [[...]] as it apperit by þe copye þat þe seyde Richard sendyth me by John Threccher: <div1.note>LATIN</div1.note> vnam cistam rubeam cum xvij bundellis evidenc- [[...]] jn eadem cista content' quadraginta libras argenti in grossis et iiijxx nobil[[...]] duo turribula argenti et deaurata vnam pixidem argenti et deauratam vnum osculatorium cum jmagine Sancti Jacobi et[[...]] vnum cruett argenti et deauratum <div1.note>ENGLISH</div1.note> I left no cruet in þe cofer <div1.note>LATIN</div1.note>

vnum crismatorium rotundum Md vnum calicem argenti et deauratum vnum alium calicem cum jmagine Sancte Trini[[...]] <div1.note>ENGLISH</div1.note> I left non soch in þe cofer but chalis of gold this is þe coppy of a bille drawin jn Englyche that I sent home [[...]] main of suche stuff as w[a]s in myn coffre in þe abb[[ey...]] by a letter sent wyth þe same bylle that he chowlde take hede that [[...]] yf he fonde aney more well be it, as it aperit in þe seyd lett[[...]] woulle be lokyd vppe. <div1.note>LATIN</div1.note> vnum calicem de auro playne ponderis duas li[[...]] vnum alium calicem de auro cum scriptura cal[[...]] thes to chalis after the vnc. xx s. ar worth xliij li. <div1.note>LATIN</div1.note> vnam tabulam de auro cum jmagine Sancti J[[...]] ponderis xiij vnc. et iij quart.

this is worth xiij li. xv s.

vnum par turribulorum argenti et deaurat' cum [[...]] et in secunda parte assendit fumus ponderis xiij lb. et [[...]] vnum pixidem argenti pro scacramento deaurat' cum cruce [[...]] lilijs ponderis v lb. et iij vnc. di. vnum ampullam argenti deaurat' ponderis j lb.

thes be worth after xxx d. þe vnc. xxviij li. xiij s. ix d. all þis was put in a panere togyddre and [[...]] forto ber it in-to þe coffre. Item, xl mark in noblis and xl li. in gro[[...]] Item, euydens.

INDENTURE OF WAGER (1467/05/01)

This bille indentyd mad the first day of Maij the vij yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the Fourthe bithwix John Paston, knyght, on the on partie, and Thomas Lomnour of London, mercer, on the othir partie, witnessith that the said Thomas Lomnour hath bargeyned, comenauntid and agreed wyth the seid John Paston in the forme folowyng, that is to say that the same Thomas hath sold to the said John an ambelyng hors vpon this condicion that if the day of mariage bithwyx the lord Charles, sone and heire to the Duc of Burgon and my lady Margret, sustir to oure souereyn lord the Kyng aboueseid, take effect, and the same lady Margret lawfully be maried to the said lord Charles wythinne ij yere aftir the date of thes present, thanne and at the same day of mariage the said John Paston grauntith to pay to the said Thomas Lomnour for the said hors vj marc. And if the said mariage take not effect wythinne the seid ij yere, yet the seid John Paston grauntith to pay to the said Thomas Lomnour at any day aftir the ij. yere aboueseid for the said hors xl s. and nomore. In witnesse wherof the parties abouesaid to these billes enterchaungeably haue set her seals the day and yere aboueseid. Jon Paston, K.

INDENTURE OF SALE (WITH PROVISION FOR REDEMPTION) (1469/11/06)

endentura Rogeri Towneshend de manerio de Est Bekham This indenture made the vjte day of Nouembre the ixth yere of the reigne of Kynge Edward the Fourth bitwene Sir John Paston, knyght, on that one partie and Roger Tounesende, gentilman, on that other partie, witnesseth þat þe seid Sir John Paston hath graunted, bargayned, and solde to þe seid Roger his manoir of Estbekham in the count&eacu; of Norffolk and all his londes and tenementes with þ'appurtenaunces in Estbekham, Westbekham, Bodham, Sheryngham, Beston iuxta mare, Routon, Shipden, Felbrigge, Aylmerton, Sustede, and Gressham in the seid countee, which þe seid Sir John purchased and hadde of the yifte and feffement of John Mariet the elder of Estbekham, for an c marke of lawefull money of Englond, wherof þe seide Sir John is payed in redy money in hande liiij li. by the handes of the seid Roger. And so remayneth due to þe seid Sir John at þe makynge of thise presentes of the seid c mark only xij li. xiij s. iiij d. to be payed to þe same Sir John or his assignees by þe seid Roger or his assignees by þe fest of Seint Luke next commyng after the date of thise presentes. And for the due execucion and accomplisshyng of þe seid bargayn and sale, þe seid Sir John hath made a dede of feffement of the date of thise presentes to þe seid Roger and other cofeffees of þe seid Roger named in þe seide dede by þe seid Roger, to ther heires and assignees to þe vse of þe seid Roger, his heyres and assignees, of þe seid manoir, londes, and tenementes with þ'appurtenaunces, and a warrant of attourney in þe same dede to make and deliuere an estate and season of and in the same manoirs, londes, and tenementes, with th'appurtenaunces, to þe seid Roger and his cofeffees after þe fourme and effect of the seid dede. And þervppon þe seid Sir John deliuered to þe seid Roger þe dede of þe seid purchase of the seid Sir John and þe endentures of covenaunt and bargayne hadde and made bitwene þe seid Sir John and John Mariett of and for þe seid manoir, londes, and tenementes, and a dede made by James Andrewe to þe seid John Mariett, and a-nother dede made by þe seid James and one William Jamys to þe seide John Mariett and John Mariett of Runton of the premisses. And by the seid last dede þer passed neuer liuer&eacu; ne season,and þerfore þe dede made by þe seide James Andrewe alone after þe decese of þe seid cofeffees is good and effectuell, for therby passed liuer&eacu; and season. And where þe seid Sir John, by þe seid indentures of covenaunt made bitwene him and þe seid John Mariett, graunted þat þe same John Mariett and Elizabeth his wyf shuld haue þer dwellyng with-in þe mote of þe seid manoir, and an annuit&eacu; of x marke durynge þer lyves and þe lenger leuynge of theym, þe seid Roger is aggreabill to þe same; and ouer that the seid Roger is aggreabill þat, yf þe seid Sir John paye or do pay to þe seid Roger an an c marke of lawfull money of Englond by þe fest of All Seintes next commyng after þe date of þise presentes, þat þanne þe seid Roger and his seid cofeffees, after dewe and resonable warnynge yeven vnto him at þe labour and costes of þe seid Sir John, shall enfeffe þe seid Sir John and such as he thanne will name in his dede withouten ony maner of warrantize. In witnesse wherof þe parties beforneseid to these endentures euery to oþer haan sette þeire seals the day and yere aboueseid.

INDENTURE PLEDGING PLATE (1470/07/03)

This indenture witnessith that Sir John Paston, knyght, being possessed of xx disshes and a sawser of siluer weying by Troy weight xxvij lb. ix vncis and di. in playn and open market in the Citee of London, hathe bargayned, sold, and deliuered the day of the date of thise indentures to Edmund Shaa, citezein and goldsmyth of London, the saide xx disshes and sawser for l li. sterlinges by the said Edmund to the forsaid Sir John Paston aforehand paid, wherof the same Sir John Paston knowlachith him-self truly contented and satisfied by thise presentes, to haue and to hold the forsaid xx disshes and sawser to the said Edmund, his executours and assignees as theire propre godes foreuermore; which bargayn, sale, and delyueree notwithstondyng, the same Edmund grauntith by thise presentes, if the said Sir John Paston pay or doo to be paid to the forsaid Edmund, to his executours or assignees, l li. sterlinges the xiijth day of Octobre next commyng after the date of thise indentures, or at any tyme byfore the same day, than the said xx disshes and sawser shalbe deliuered by the saide Edmund or his assignees to the forsaid Sir John Paston or to his attourney makyng the saide payment. And if defaulte be made in payment of the saide l li. in parte or in all at the saide xiijth day of Octobre, than the saide graunte made by the forsaid Edmund of reliueree of the saide xx disshes and sawser be void and of noon effect. But that than the saide Sir John Paston grauntith and byndith him by thise indentures and promiseth vpon his honoure and worship to warant the said xx disshes and sawser and the sale of the same to the said Edmund, his executours and assignees, ayenst almaner people foreuer. In witnesse wherof the parties aforsaid to thise indentures entierchaungeably haue sette theire sealles. Youen the third day of July in the xth yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the Fourth.

INDENTURE PLEDGING PLATE (1470/07/08)

This endenture made at London the viij day of Julij the xthe yere of the regne of Kyng Edward the iiijthe by-twyxt Syr John Paston, knyght,of the on partye and Sthephen Kelke, citeseyne and goldsmyth of London, on the other partye, bereth witnesse þat the said Syr John the day of this present wrytyng hathe bargayned, delyuered, and solde to the forsayd Sthephen xvj potengers, weying of Troy weyght xxij li. x vnc of seluer di. vnc., for xl li. of laufull money of Englond receyued by þe same Syr John for the same bargayne. And the said Sthephen graunteth by this presentes that and the said Syr John, his executors or assignez, pay or do to be payed to þe said Sthephen xl li. of laufull money of Englond by-fore þe feste of Witsontyde next comyng, þat than the same Sthephen shall selle and delyuer a-yen to the said Syr John alle the forsaid dysshes and potengers of seluer; prouyded that, and the same potengers be take a-wey by any open robberye, that than þe said Sthephen be not bounden her-by to þe latter sale or relyuer&eacu;. In witnesse wher-of the partyes a-bouesayd to þis endentures enterchaungeabully haue set to theire seales þe day and yere a-foresaid.

INDENTURE OF AGREEMENT ON FASTOLF ESTATE (1470/07/14)

Magna indentura conuencionum factarum inter dominum episcopum Wintoniensem et J. Paston militem de qua materia tamen dictus Johannes generaliter relaxauit.

This indenture made betwene the right reuerend fader in God William Wayneflete, Bisshop of Wynchestre, on the oone party, and John Paston, knyght, on the other party, wittenesseth that where John Fastolf, knyght, nowe dede, late beyng seised in his demene as of fee of dyuers maners, londis, and tenementes in the countees of Surr&eacu;, Essexe, Suffolk, and Norfolk, and in the cit&eacu; of Norwich, and beyng also possessed of right grete and notable summes of money, jowelex, plate, aras, and other godez and catallez qvyk and dede, caused a feoffement of the said maners, londes, and tenementez to be made to the seid reuerend fader and other, to haue to them and to theire heyres foreuermore to parfourme thereof the wille and entent of the seid Syr John Fastolf, the same Syr John Fastolf also made his testament and named and ordeyned the seid reuerend fader and other to be executoures of the same testament; which Syr John Fastolf, amonge othere pitueux and charitable dedes, willed and ordeyned vij prestys and vij poore folkes to be endowed perpetuelly to praye for the soulez of the same Syr John Fastolf and of Dame Millicent his wife and other of his frendes and benefactours. After the decesse of which Syr John Fastolf grete variance hathe growen betwene John Paston, sqwyer, fader of the seid John Paston, knyght, on the oon party, and dyueres of the seid feoff&eacu;z on the other party,for a bargayne alleged to be made betwene the said John Fastolf, knyght, and John Paston, sqwyer, of the seid maneres, londes, and tenementez in the count&eacu;z of Norfolk, Suffolk, and in the citee of Norwich; by occasion of which variance dyvers of the seid feoff&eacu;z of the seid maneres, londes, and tenementez haue thereof made estat, summe to oon persone and summe to other, and grete summes of money and also grete substaunce of the said goodes and catallex and of th'issues and profettes growen and commen of the seid maners, londes, and tenementez, and the wodez of the same, haue be wasted, decaied, and spent, the verey wille of the seid Syr John Fastolf in many grete parties thereof delaied and not parfouremed yet nor executed, and the seid troublez contynued neuer likly in tyme cummyng to be executed. Wherefor the seid reuerend fader, seyng that all the seid named executours nowe in life, excepted hymself oonely, what for renownecyng of administracion of the seid testament, what for other cawses, may not now take vpon them the administracion thereof, considered also of the seid grete substance of lond and goodez the grete waste, destruccion, and perplexit&eacu;, havyng pit&eacu; and compassion that of so blessed and charitable entent of the seid John Fastolf no commendable effect shuld ensue, remembryng the singuler trust which the same John Fastolf to hym had, bothe in the seid feoffament and in th' execucion of the testament and of the premyssez, hathe taken vpon hym th'execucion of the seid testament, entendyng by the grace of God, bothe of the seid londes as farforthe as he may and also of such goodez of the seid John Fastolf as yet remayne vnspent and shal com to the hondys of the seid reuerend fadere, that the wille of the same John Fastolf therof shalbe executed. Therefore in ceesyyng of variances, pleez, and trowblez which haue fallen and hereaftir by likliode shuld be contynued, and in accomplesment of party of the will of the said John Fastolf, it is aggreed betwene the said parties in maner and fourme foloyng: that is to witt that the said John Paston and all othere personez by hym or to his vse havyng any title, posses- sion, or interesse in any maners, londes, tenementez, or other possessions which were of the seid John Fastolf in the counteez and citee aforesaid, except certeyn maners, londes, tenementez, and possessions with thaire appurtenauncez vnder writen, that is to wite the maner of Castre with appurtenance in the count&eacu; of Norfolk, and all the londys and tenementez called Vaux, Redham, or Bosoms in Castre, the maner called Spencers in Haryngby, except also the maners of Hailesdon, Drayton, Tolthorp, and tenementez in the citee of Norwich, shal relenxe before the fest of Cristmasse to the seid reuerend fadere and to his heires foreuermore all theire right and intresse which thei haue in all the seid maners, londes, and tenementez, or in ony of them, excepted before excepted, discharged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion, or ony charge by them or ony of them made, other than the same maners, londes, tenementez, and possessions or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the first estat thereof made to the said John Paston or to ony person or persones to th'use of the said John Paston. Also the said reuerend fader shal, before the said fest of Cristmasse, do to be made to þe seid John Paston, knyght, or such personez as the same1 John wol assigne, and to theire heires foreuermore, a lawfull and sufficiant dymysse of estate of fee symple of the said maner of Castre and of the seid maner called Spensers in Haryngby and of all the londes and tenementez in Castre and also the londes and tenementes in Haryngby called Spensers which were of the seid John Fastolf, and which the seid reuerend fadere to-gedir with John Beauechampe, knyght, Lord Beauechamp, and other had of the feoffament of Rauf Lord Suydeley and other such, and the hole estat as the seid reuerend fader and Lord Bewchamp have or had by reson of the same feoffement discharged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion, or any charge by theym or either of them made, other than the same maners, londes, and tenementez or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the same feoffement made. Also the seid reuerend fader graunteth to doo his effectuell deuoure to cause William Paston to make dymyss of his estat of fee theryn to the seid John Paston, knyght, in the same fourme discharged, and that by sub pena if the case require. And forthermore the seid reuerend fader promitteth vpon his honoure to do his effectuell deuoure that before the feste of Witsontide next comyng John, Duke of Norfolk, and all other personez by the same Duke or to his vse beyng feoffed in the seid maner of Castre or in any of the seid londes and tenementes in Caster aforeseid, shal make laufull and sufficiant dymysse of theire estat, title, and interesse thereof to the seid John Paston, knyght, or to such personez as the same John Paston wol assigne and to theire heires foreuer- more, discheirged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion, or any charge other than the same maners, londes, and tenementes or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the first estat thereof made to the seid Duke or to any person to th'use of the same Duke. And if William Yeluerton, knyght and justice, or William Geney, seriaunt, haue not relessed or graunted theire estat in the seid maner of Castre to the seid John, Duke of Norfolk, nor to none other persone to th'use of the same Duke, than the said reuerend fader shal doo his effectuell deuoure to cause the said William Yeluerton and William Geney to graunte theire said estat to the seid reuerend fader or to the seid John Paston, knyght, or to such personez as the seid John Paston wol assigne and to theire heires foreuermore, or relesse in-to theire possession before the seid fest of Cristmasse, discharged of any rent, reconusaunce, execucion or any charge by theym or either of them made other than the same maners, londes, and tenementez or any parcell of them were charged tyme of the first estat thereof made to the seid William Yeluerton and William Geney. And if th'estat of the seid maner of Caster to the seid John Paston, knyght, be not so made by the seid Duke and other to his vse possessed thereof, the said reuerend fader graunteth that withyn iij monethes next foloyng the said fest of Witsontide to do make a laufull and sufficient estat of fee symple of the maner of Guton with th'appurtenaunce to the said John Paston, knyght, or to such personez as the same John wol assigne and to theire heires, discharged as it was tyme of the feoffement made thereof to the seid reuerend fader, or elles to paye and content to the same John Paston, knyght, or to his assignez withyn the same iij monethes dccxl markez laufull money of Englond. Also it is aggreed that if the seid John Paston, knyght, haue not the seid maner [of] Guton to hym and to his heires as is aforesaid, than the same reuerend fader shal discharge the seid John Paston of promys of bargayne of the seid maner of Guton by the seid John Paston, knyght, made to Thomas, Archebisshop of Canterburye. Also, as to the said maners of Halysdon, Drayton, Tolthorp, and tenementes in the cit&eacu; of Norwich with theire appurtenaunces, it is aggreed betwene the seid parties that the seid reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, shal sue for the obteynyng thereof by laufull and resonable menes by aduyse of theire counseill and at theire owne cost; and suche thynge theryn as thei haue, or shalbe recouered, goten, or obteyned by them or any of them, or by any other havyng therein title or interesse to th'use of any of them, shalbe equally dyvided betwene the said reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, and theire bothe heyres, how be it that any of the seid reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, decesse before the same recoueryng, getyng, or obteynyng. And neither of the same partiez, heyres, or executours shal take advauntage by the survyuer, butt oonely haue the halfdele of such thyngez as shalbe recouered, goten, or obteyned. Also neither of the same partiez shal theryn take nor make ende nor relesse withoute assent of other. And it is also aggreed that the seid reuerend fader of the said maners of Drayton, Tolthorp, and tenementes in the citee of Norwych and londes, tenementez, and possessions in Drayton, Tolthorp, and Norwich with theire appurtenauncez which were of the said John Fastolf, knyght, shal thereof before the said fest of Cristmas enfeffe Guy Fairefaxe, serieant at lawe, John Paston, sqwyer, Roger Tounesend, Nicholas Hervy, and William Danvers, to haue to them and to theire heires, to th'use of the seid reuerend fader and John Paston in fourme abouesaid. And ouer this, as to the seid maner of Wynterton called Begvilez, the maner of Reppes in Bastwik, londes and tenementes called Cattes in Haryng- by, the thirde part of the maner of Rounham, londes and tenementez in Yernemouthe, londes and tenementez called Billez in Stokesby, with theire membres, possessions, hereditamentes, and appurtenauncez, it is aggreed betwene the said parties that the said reuerend fader shal there-of before the seid fest of Cristmas cause to be made to the said Guy Fairefaxe, John Paston, sqwyer, Roger Tounesend, Nicholas Hervy, and William Danvers a lawfull and sufficiant dymyss of estat of fee symple, aswell such and the hoole estat and partez of the same as the seid reuerend fader and the seid Lord Beauechamp now haue or at any tyme had by reson of the feoffement thereof made by the seid Rauf Lord Suydeley and other to the seid reuerend fader, Lord Beauchamp, and other, as such and the hole estat and partez of the same as the seid reuerend fader hathe or shal haue by relesse of the feoff&eacu;s of the seid John Paston, knyght, or by the seid Duke or other to his vse, or by the seid William Yeluerton and William Geney or any of [the] feoff&eacu;s of the seid John Fastolf. Also the seid reuerend fader graunteth to doo his effectuell deuoure to cause William Paston to make thereof dymyss of his estat of fee in the same fourme, and that by sub pena as the case requyreth, which feoffement of the seid reuerend fader thereof in fourme aboueseid shalbe made to th'entent that the seid John Paston, knyght, and his heires shal haue there-of as much londes and tenementez as to-gedir with the seid maner of Castre, londes and tenementez in Castre, the said maner, londes, and tenementez called Spencers in Haryngby, shal atteyne to the yerely value of l li. ouer all chargez and reprises at eleccion of the seid J. Paston. And the residue thereof aboue l li. yerely shalbe to th'use of the seid reuerend fader and his heires, to be disposed for the sowle of the seid John Fastolf. And that as wel the seid maners of Castre and Haryngby, the seid londes and tenementez in Castre and Haryngby, as the said maners of Wynterton, Reppes, the iijd part of the maner of Rounham, londes and tenementez called Cattys in Haryngby, londes and tenementes in Yernemouth, londes and tenementez called Billes in Stokesby, with theire membres, possessions, hereditamentes, and appurtenauncez, shalbe extended to an yerly value by the discrecion of Roger Tovnesend and William Danvers, the same extent to be made in writyng before the fest of Candelmas next foloyng; and if the seid Roger and William or any of them decesse before the seid extent made, than it is aggreed betwene the said partiez that euerych of þem shal for theire part name oone persone to make the same extent before the fest of Estre than next foloyng aftir the date of these presentez. And if the seid Roger and William, or if thei decesse before extent made the seid other personez named in fourme aboueseid, can not accord in makyng of the seid extent, than the seid partiez bethe aggreed that the same Roger and William, or if they decesse the seid other personez named, shal chese an vmpere to make the seid extent before the fest of Witsontide next foloyng; vnto which extent in any of the seid fourmez made bothe the seid parties shal stond. And if noone extent be made in any of the seid fourmez before the seid fest of Witsontid, than the seid feoff&eacu;z shal suffre the seid John Paston, knyght, to haue thereof, and of Castre and Haryngby as is aforeseid, to the yerely value of l li., and the seid reuerend fader shal haue the residue there-of ouer l li. Also the seid reuerend fader is aggreed att his owne charge to obteyne of the Pope a sufficiant dispensacion for chaungyng of the place and fundacion of the seid perpetuel prestes and poore folkes fro the seid maner of Castre. Also, withyn vj monethes next foloyng the seisyn and possession of þe same reuerend fader obteyned and had of all the seid maners, londes, and tenementes, excepted before excepted,the same reuerend fader graunteth to exhibit and fynd perpetuelly in his college att Oxonford vij prestys and vij poore scolers to praye for the sowles of the seid John Fastolf and of Dame Milicent his wife, his frendys and benefactoures. Also the same reuerend fader graunteth to acquyte and discharge the seid John Paston, knyght, and th'executoure of John Paston, sqwyer, of mlmlmlml marcz which mought be claymed by the seid reuerend fader for the bargayne pretented to be made betwene the seid John Fastolf and John Paston, sqwyer; and ouer this the same reuerend fader graunteth to acquyte and discharge the same John Paston, knyght, of all summez of money, jowelx, plate, aras, and all goodes and catallex quyk or dede which late were of the seid John Fastolf and com to the hondes or to th'use of the seid John Paston, sqwyer, John Paston, knyght, or any of them, or any other persone to th'use of the seid John Paston, sqwyer, John Paston, knyght, or any of them. Also, if any of the seid maners, londes, and tenementes which shal remayne or be to th'use of the said reuerend fader lye to the pleasure of the seid John Paston, knyght, þe same reuerend fader graunteth byfore th' amortezement thereof þe said John Paston to haue them to hym or to his heires by wey of eschaunge for othere maners, londes, and tenementez of suere title and like value. Also the same John Paston vpon his feith, knyghthode, and honest&eacu; promytteth to delyvere before þe said fest of Cristmas to þe seid reuerend fader all dedes, chartres, euydences, and munimentz concernyng soolly any of þe said maners, londes, and tenementes which by vertu of this aggrement shal remayne toward þe said reuerend fader and which þe same John Paston, or any other person to his vse, now hathe or by the seid fest of Cristmas shal haue. And all such dedes, chartres, munimentz, and euidencez which the same John Paston, or any other person to his vse, hathe concernyng aswel the seid maners, londes, and tenementes which as is foresaid shal remayne to the said reuerend fader, as to þe said maners, londes, and tenementes which by the seid aggrement shal remayne to þe said John Paston, knyght, the same John Paston as aboue promitteth to do bryng before the seid fest of Cristmas all the seid dedes, chartres, munimentz, and euidences to þe Priory of Seynt Marie Ouerey in Suthwerk, there to be delyuered and putt in a chest lokked with ij lockes and ij keyes, whereof oon key shal remayne with the seid reuerend fader and a-nother key shal remayne with the seid John Paston, knyght, to th'entent that bothe þe seid partiez may haue recourse to the seid euidences whan any of theire possessions be putt in plee or trowble; vnto which recourse so to be had bothe the seid partiez shalbe aggreable, aftir the trwe entent hereof declared by writyng endented and triparted, whereof oone part shal remayne with þe seid reuerend fader and a-nother part thereof shal remayne with the said John Paston, knyght, and þe iij part thereof shal remayne with the Priour of Seynt Marie Ouerey. And in like wise the seid reuerend fader promytteth on his honoure to delyuere to the seid John Paston, knyght, before the seid fest of Cristmas all dedes, chartres, euidences, and munimentz conceryng soolly any of the seid maners, londes, and tenementez which by vertu of this aggrement shal remayne toward the seid John Paston, knyght, and which the seid reuerend fader, or any persone to his vse, nowe hathe or by the seid fest of Cristmas shal haue. And all such dedes, chartres, munimentz, and euidences which the seid reuerend fader, or any persone to his vse, hath concernyng aswel the seid maners, londes, and tenementz which shal remayne to þe seid reuerend fader as to þe seid maners, londes, and tene- mentez which shal remayne to þe seid John Paston, knyght, the seid reuerend fader as aboue promitteth to do bryng before þe seid fest of Cristmas all þe seid dedes, chartres ,munimentes, and euidences to þe seid Priory of Seynt Marie Ouerey, there to be delyuered and putt in-to the seid chest to th'entent aforesaid. In witnesse whereof the seid partiez vnto thies indentures chaungeabl&eacu; haue putt theire sealez. Date is the xiiijthe daye of jule the xthe yere of the reyne of Kyng Edward the iiijthe.

INDENTURE OF RELEASE AND QUITCLAIM OF FASTOLF MANORS (1470/07/14)

indentura inter dominum episcopum Wintoniensem et J. Paston militem de acquietancia et relaxacione. E. iiijti xmo.

This endenture made bitwene the right reuerent fader in God, William Wayneflete, Bisshop of Wynchestre, executour of the testament of Sir John Fastolf, knyght, on the oon parte and John Paston, knyght, son and heire of John Paston, squyer, and executoure of the testament of the same John Paston, squyer, named to be oon of th'executours of the testament of the said John Fastolff, on the other parte, witnesseth that where in other endentures made bitwene the same parties, wherof the date is the day of makyng of thiez presentz, of disposicion and departyng of alle the maners, londez, tenementz, possessions, and hereditamentes, with theire appurtenauncez whiche were of the said John Fastolf, knyght, in the counteez of Surr&eacu;, Essex, Suffolk and Norffolk, and in the citee of Norwich, the said John Paston, knyght, hath oonly therof taken and shall have toward hym-self and his heires and other to his vse the maner of Castre with th' appurtenauncez and the londes and tenementz called Vaux, Redham, and Bosoms in Castre, the manere called Spencers in Haryngby, and the londes and tenementz called Spensers in Haryngby with theire appurtenauncez, and also to have to hym and to his heires and other to his vse of the said maners, londez, and tenementz, togider with the maner of Wynterton called Begvyles, the manere of Reppes in Bastwyk, the third parte of the manere of Rounham, londes and tenementz called Cattes in Haryngby, londez and tenementz called Billes in Stokesby, londes and tenementz in Yernemouth with theire membres, possessions, hereditamentz, and appur- tenauncez to the yerly value of l li. over all charges and reprisez at eleccion of the said John Paston accordyng to the saide other indentures, and of the manerez of Haylesdon, Drayton, Tolthorp, and tenementz in the cit&eacu; of Norwich with theire appurtenauncez the said reuerent fader and John Paston, knyght, to have as in the said endentures more playnly may appiere, the said John Paston, knyght, not to have more of any of the maners, londes, tenementz, possessions, and hereditamentes whiche were of the said John Fastolf, but vtterly to leve theym to the said reuerent fader, to parfourme therof the wille and entent of the said John Fastolf, but if the said John Paston like to have of theym by waye of eschaunge as in the saide endentures more playnly may appiere. Therfore the said reuerent fader relesseth and quietclaymeth by thiez presentz to the said John Paston ml ml ml ml marc. by reason of the bargayne allegged to be made bitwene the said John Fastolf and the said John Paston, squyer. The said reuerent fader also relesseth, dischargeth, and quietclaymeth by thiez presentz to the said John Paston, knyghte, and his heires the fundacion or makyng of [a] college and endowyng of vij preestes and vij poure men to praie perpetuelly for the sowles of the said John Fastolf and of Dame Milcent his wif and theire benefactours, whiche fundacion, makyng, and endowyng the said John Paston, squyer, by reason of the said allegged bargayn was bownde and sholde have made. The said reuerent fader also relesseth and quietclaymeth by thiez presentz to the said John Paston, knyght, alle manere of accions, claymes, and demaundes whiche the said reuerent fader hath or may have ayenst the said John Paston, knyght, his heires or execu- tourz, or ayenst th'executourz of the testament of the said John Paston, squyer, or any of theym by reason of the testament of the said John Fastolff and of the godes or catelles whiche were of the said John Fastolf and whiche cam to the handes of the said John Paston, squyer, John Paston, knyght, or any other persone to the vse of theym or of any of theym. And the same John Paston, knyght, relesseth and quietclaymeth by thiez presentez to the said reuerent fader alle maner accions, claymes, and demaundez of londez, possessions, or godes whiche were of the said John Fastolf whiche the same John Paston hath, or may have by reason of the said allegged bargayn, or by reason of any agreement bifore tyme had or made bitwene the said reuerent fader and the same John Paston, or by any other reason or cause growen bifore the makyng of the saide other indentures; alwey forseen that this present endenture nor no graunte nor relesse therin con- teyned extend not to the avoydyng or dischargyng of any promys, covenaunt, penalit&eacu;, paiement of money, estate, or relesse of londez or tenementz, or liueree of evidences to be made , or graunte to be parfourmed or caused to be parfourmed by any of the saide partiez to oþer or any to their vse to be parfourmed herafter, conteyned in the said other indentures, but that all the poyntes and articles in the saide other indentures conteyned be truely parfourmed and kepte after the true intent of the same. In wittenesse wherof the said partiez vnto thies endentures have chaungeably putte theire seales the xiiij day of juyll the xth yere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the iiijth.

John Paston, K.

INDENTURE OF AGREEMENT CONCERNING FASTOLF MANORS (1470/07/14)

This indenture triparted made betwene the right reuerend fader in God, William, Bisshop of Wynchestre, on the oone part, and John Paston, knyght, Guy Fairfaxe, serieant at lawe, John Paston, sqvyer, Roger Tovnesend, Nicholas Hervy, and William Danvers on the other part, witn- esseth that where the said reuerend fader, by his chartre indented whereof date is þe daye of makyng of thies presentez, hathe enfeoffed þe said Guy, John Paston, sqvyer, Nicholas, and William of þe maners of Drayton and Tolthorp in þe count&eacu; of Norfolk and all þe londes, tenementez, possessions, and hereditamentez in Drayton, Tolthorp, and in the cit&eacu; of Norwich with theire appurtenauncez which sumtyme were of John Fastolf, knyght, and which þe said reuerend fader, togider with other late ioyntly had to them, theire heirs and assignez, of þe dymysse and feoffement of Rauf Boteler, knyght, Lord Suydeley, and other as in the said chartre may appiere, th'entent of þe said feoffement is that such thyng as by the said reuerend fader and John Paston, any of them or theire heirs, shal thereof be recouered, goten, or obteyned shalbe equally dyvided betwene þe said reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, and theire both heires, and nethir of þe said parties shal take advauntage by the survyver of other, but oonely haue the halfedele of such thynge as shalbe recouered, goten, or obteyned. And forthermore, where the said reuerend fader by oon other chartre indented, whereof date is also the day of makyng of thies presentez, hathe enfeoffed the said Guy, John Paston, sqvyer, Roger, Nicholas, and William of þe maner of Wynterton called Begvilez, þe maner of Reppys in Bastwik, þe thirde part of the maner of Rowneham, londez and tenementez called Cattes in Haryngby, londes and tenementes called Billez in Stokesby, and all the londes, tenementes, possessions, and hereditamentez in Wynterton, Bastwik, Rounham, and Yernemouthe, with appurtenauncez, which sumtyme were of þe said John Fastolf and wich the said reuerend fader togider with other late ioyntly had to them, theire heires and assignes, of þe dymysse and feoffement of þe said Rauf Lord Suydeley and other as in the said chartre maye appiere, th'entent of the said feoffement is that of þe maners of Wynterton and Reppys, the iij parte of the maner of Rounham, londez and tenementez called Cattes in Haryngby, londes and tenementez called Billez in Stokesby, and all þe londez, tenementez, and possessions and hereditamentez in Wynterton, Bastwik, Rounham, and Yernemouth abouesaid, with th'appurtenauncez, the said John Paston, knyght, and his heirs shal haue as muche of maners, londes, and tenementez, togedir with the maner of Castre, londes and tenementez called Vaux, Redham, and Bosoms in Castre, the maner, londes, and tenementez called Spencers in Haryngby, shal atteyne to þe yerely value of l li. ouer all charges and reprises att eleccion of the said John Paston, and the residue thereof aboue l li. yerely shalbe to th'use of the said reuerend fader and of his heirs to be disposed for the soule of the said John Fastolf, alwey foreseen if any extent thereof be made in any fourme conteyned in other indentures thereof made betwene þe said reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, or theire heyres that bothe the said partiez stond to the same extent so made. In witness whereof þe said partiez vnto thies indentures haue chaungeabl&eacu; putt theire seales, the thirde part hereof ensealed with þe seales of the said reuerend fader and John Paston, knyght, remaynyng with the said Guy Fairefaxe. Date is the xiiijthe day of Juyll the xth yere of þe reigne of Kyng Edward the iiijth.

INDENTURE PLEDGING PLATE (1470/08/07)

Richard Rawlyns

This endenture made at London the vijthe day of August in þe xthe yere of the regne of Kyng Edward þe iiijthe bytwene Syr John Paston, knyght, on the o partye, and Richard Rawlyn of London, grocere, on the other partye, witnesseth that þe said Syr John hathe þe day and yere afore said solde, bargayned, and delyuered to þe said Richard ij chargers, iiij potengers, weying xj li. Troy weyght on vnc. and iij quarter of seluer, for xx li. of lawfull money of Englond receyued by the said Syr John the day of makyng of this presentes. And the said Richard graunteth þat and the said Syr John, his executors or assigneez pay or do to be payed to the said Richard, his executors or assigneez xx li. of lawfull money of Englond by-fore þe feste of Wythsonday next comyng, that than he shall doo deluer to the said Syr John or his assigneez so paying the said xx li. all the forsaid dysshes of seluer. In wytnesse wher-of the partyes aboue said to this endentures haue set to ther seles the day and yere a-boue wreten.

INVENTORY (1470??/)

These vndirwretyn be the goodes and stuffe of howsold lefte in the maner plase of Caster by Sir John Paston at the entr&eacu; of my lord of Norffolk in- to the same maner, and born and led awey duryng my lordes possession there. First, xxiij barres of jron lying overthwart the jnner gate and the bakhows gate, ich worth ij s. iiij d. Item, ij gret fowlers wyth vj chambirs lying in the jnner gates. Item, a lesse fowler and a serpentyne wyth vj chambirs lying in Ser John Stilles chambir. Item, a gret serpentyne wyth iij chambirs lying vpon a carte. Item, a short potte gonne wyth ij chambirs lying in the chapell. Item, iiij gonnes lying in ij stokkes callid orgon gonnes, wyth ix chambirs. Item, a gret fowler lyimg in Bedfordes Towre wyth iij chambirs. Item, a small serpentyn wyth iij chambirs lying in Penys Towre. Item, a gret fowler wyth iij chambirs lying in the lavendr&eacu;. Item, a serpentyne wyth ij chambirs lying in the somer halle. Item, a fowler wyth iij chambirs lying in the kechyn. Item, a small serpentyne wyth iij chambirs lying in the botery. Item, ij smale serpentynes wyth vj chambirs lying in the gret towre. Item, a gret fowler wyth iij chambirs lying in the larder. Item, over the bakhows gate a small fowler wyth iij chambirs. Item, in the overmest chambir of the gret towre a gret standard and a peyre gardevyandes. Item, in the tresory ij standardes bounde wyth jron. Item, in the warderobe a gret standard and a cofir wyth quarell hedes a busshell. Item, iij panes of glasse of xviij fete wele wrought wyth jmages and armes and other besy werk set in the chambir wyndowe over the chapell. Item, ij panes of glasse of xij fete in the same chambir wrought wyth armes and other devises. Item, ij panes of glasse of ij fete wyth armes in the somer halle. Item, in the same halle and chambir next vj plates of coper and gilt wyth armes vpon, set in the walle for wax or candell to stonde on. Item, in the same halle ij longe tabils, on grene, a nothe[r] yelough. Item, ij peyre trostelis poyntid reed. Item, iij chayris, wherof ij were poyntid reed and on grene. Item, in Daubeneys chambir a cuppebord wyth a rennyng leed. Item, in the nethermest chambir of the gret towre a falt tabill. Item, a peire trostelis on-poyntid. Item, a long chayre poyntid reed in the chambir next the somer halle. Item, a long chayre onpoyntid in Inglose chambir. Item, a cuppebord and a long chayre poyntid in the prestes halle. Item, xij formes standyng in dyvers chambirs. Item, a morter of brasse set in a long stokke wyth a pestell therto. Item, a tornyng morter of free stoon wyth iiij holis. Item, ij gret spittis callid standardes. Item, a peyre quernes to grynd wyth mustard. Item, a gret leed to brewe wyth iiij comb malt. Item, a gret vessell of brasse set in a forneys to sethe in growte. Item, a gret gylyng fat for iiij comb malt. Item, ix ledes set in iij stokkes to cole in worte, ich conteynyng xx galons and more. Item, xij stondes to tonne in ale, ich conteynyng xxiiij gal. Item, ij spyndyls of jron for the hors mille. Item,ij ryngis for the same. Item, ij trendils for the same. Item, a pese of lede that coverid on of the rounde torettes of the jnner gate. Item, a-nother pese of leed that coveryd a litell toret comyng oute on to the clokke lede ouer Sir James chambir. Item, a pese of lede of a spowte of ij yardes long comyng by the gresis next the chapell. Item, a cranke of jron to wynde wyth the clokke. Item, xxv lokkes. Item

DECLARATION CONCERNING THE FASTOLF ESTATE (1471/02/12)

To alle Cristen people whom this present writing shal come vnto John Paston, knyght, sendeth greting in our Lord God euerlasting. Where it is so that certein agrementes and accordes beth had betwene the right reuerend fader in God, William, Bisshop of Winchestre, on the oon part, and me the seid J. Paston on the other part, of the maners, lordshippes, londes, tenementes, possessions, and hereditamentes which sumtyme wer of J. Fastolf, knyght, as in endentures therof betwene vs made may appier; where also sithen the making of the same indentures iugement hath be yoven for me ayenst W. Yeluerton, knyght, in the Kynges Chauncerie vpon a bille sued by me in the same Chauncerie ayenst the seid W. Yeluerton and W. Genney, serieant; and ouer this where the seid reuerend fader hath sued ayenst W. Paston, vncle of me the seid J. Paston, a writte sub pena in the seid Chauncerie; know ye me the seid John Paston, knyght, feithfully to promytte and graunt by thiez presentes and bynd me by the order of knyghthode and myn honest&eacu; as ferforth and as straitly as I can to parfourme and fulfille on my behalf alle and euerich of the appointementes made betwene the seid reuerend fader and me natwithstonding the seid iugement, suytes, or any other cause or occasion what so euer it be. In witnesse wherof I haue vnto thies presentes put my seale xij day of February the xlix yer of the regne of our souerain lord King Henry the vjthe.

SCHEDULE TO RELEASE OF LANDS (1471/07/12)

I, John Paston, knyght, haue do this writyng of reles hereto annexed to be writen. And also I haue sealed the same writyng and delyuered hit to Robert Anketill to kepe as a cedule, and nott my dede as yet, vnto tyme that Dauid Husband and William Gifford, named in the same writyng, or oone of them, requyre the said Robert to delyuere to them or to oone of them the said writyng; att which tyme I wol that the same Robert delyuere to the said Dauid and William, or to oone of them, the foresaid writyng as my dede,the same writyng att the same delyuerance so to be made by the said Robert first to take effect as my dede and not before.

INVENTORY OF PAPERS (1470)

In þe sqare trussyng coffre A boxe wyth euydence off my place in Fletstrett. A lytell box wyth obligacions off þe Archbisshop off York and W. Jennyes oblygacion. A box wyth euydence off Tytlyshall. A box wyth þe letter off attorney off Fastolffys londes by Syr John Paston. I, a box de actis inter episcopum wyntoniensem et J. P. militem. Item, endentura de argento mutuato termino trinitatis ao xo et testamentum W. Paston justiciarij. Item, ij pixides de nouis cartis de terris Fastolffis. Item, a litell box wyth þe obligacion off T. Fastolff, and on off James Gresham. Item, a box wyth the dede off gyfft off J. P. and þe byll assyngnyd for þe dyamant. Item, the bagge de placitis in vsu. Item, the bagge wyth ger taken owt off my caskett. Item, a bagge wyth the bondell wher-on was wreten London, Item, a bagge wyth euydence off Est Bekkham. Item, a bondell de actis parlimenti et de excambia in Paston. Item, a bondell de actis cantuariensibus. Item, a bondell de fyrma Caster Berdolffis. The endentur off Snaylwell by Wylleys. A bondell off Gresh[a]m, Moleyns. A bondell off processe off þ'eschekyre, letter and byllys sirca festum Joh[ann]is, ao ixo. Item, th'endentur off W. Jeney. Item, a bondell off letteris and byllis, ao xo. A bondell wyth jnquisicions nott returnyd in-to þe Chanceri. copia voluntatis Fastolf vltima et probata. enventorium apud Caster per episcopum norwicensem et dominum de Scales, et alia ad redisesinam. apu[n]ctamentum regis et litera amici. endentura de Fennes per patrem Hugonis Fenne. The verray endentur off my mariage. Item, a bondell off letteris from my brother John. Item, iij billis, þe endenter off W. Jenney for Nacton, a byll off Wylleys, and on off J. Owen. Item, a bondell wyth þe names off them þat had stoff from Heylesdon. Item, a byll off Sweynesthorp. Item, a byll off Brok off Dedham off þe purchace þeroff. A quitance pro scaccario. A bonde towchyng the probatte off Fastolffis will, wyth mj olde testament. A copie off a generall releffe de terris Fastolffis.