_To the ryght worchypfull John Paston, Squyer, yn haste._
[Sidenote: 1479 / NOV. 28]
My Master Paston, I recomaunde me to yow, preyyng God to have mercy on
my master your brother sowle, to whom ye ar heyre, and also to my
mastras your grauntdam. Wherfore be th’avyse of my mastras your carful
moder, your brothere Edmund, on Sunday next before Sent Andrew, rod to
Marlyngforth, and before alle the tenauntez, examynid on James, kepere
ther for Will. Paston, where he was the weke next before Sent Andrew,
and there he seyd that he was not at Marlingforth from the Monday unto
the Thorday at evyn, and soo there was no man there but your brothers
man at the tyme of his decese; so be that your brothere dyyd sesid, and
your brothere E. bad your man kepe possession to your behoffe, and
warned the tenauntez to pay noo man, til ye hadde spoke them. So
mesemyth that ys a remyttir to your old taylyd titell; comon with your
concell. Forther, at afternoon he was at Oxned to understande how they
had doo, and Peris kepyd your brotheres possession at that tyme; and
your oncle his man was not there, but he assyned anothere pore man to be
ther. Whethere that contynuid the possession of W. Paston or not be
remembrid, &c.
And after the decese, &c., W. Paston sent the man that kepyd possession
to fore to entre and kepe possession, wheche was noo warent be tha
poyntment, for ye stande at your liberte as for ony apoyntment or
comunycacion hadde before, and soo men seme it wer good for yow to
stande at large til ye here more; yf ye myght have my Lord Chamberleyns
good faver and lordship, it were ryght expedyent. As for my Lord of Ely,
dele not wyth hym be owr avyse, for he woll move for trete, and elles be
displesid. Your brother Edmund sent to John Wymond, and he sent word he
wolle be a mene of trete, but wold take noo parte, and as I sopose that
was be Heydons avyse; for your uncle sent to me to be with hym, and also
the same man rodd to Heydon and Wymondham, &c. The brenger of this
letter can tell, for he was with your brothere E. at these placez.
Forther, my mastras your moder gretyth yow well, and sendyth yow her
blessyng, requiryng yow to come oute of that here [_air_] alsone as ye
may; and your brothere E. comaundid hym to yow, and he doth hys
dylygens, and parte for yow full well and saddely yn many behalvys, and
hath brought my maistras your wife to Topcrofte on Friday last, and they
fare all well there; and he yntendith to see my Master Fitz Water, whech
lythe at Freton, ner Long Stratton. And God be your gide yn all your
maters, and brenge yow sone home.
Wretyn at Norwyche, on Sonday at nyght next before Sent Andrew, and
delyverd on Monday next be the morwyn.
Be your,