_To John Kynge, Fermour of my Maner of Hartwelbury, in Kelsall, besides
Royston, be this delyverd._
[Sidenote: 1480 / FEB. 24]
John Kyng, I grete yow hartely well; and I understond as well by my
frende, Syr William Storar, as by Ric. Browne, that as well my kynnesman
Syr John Paston that dede is, as my kynnesman John Paston that now
leveth, have ben with yow, and yovyn yow many grete thretis, for that ye
acordyng to the trowth, tolde unto them that ye ocupyed my maner of
Harwelbury be my leese, and be my ryght. And further more I understond,
notwithstondyng the seyde grete thretis, that ye, lyke a full trewe,
harty frende, have delyd and fastely abedyn in my tytill, and wolde not
retorne to none of them. Wherfor I hartely thank yow; and furthar more
to corage yow in yowr fast dealyng, I schew onto yow that I have ryght
bothe in law and in concience, wherby I promyse yow on my feythe to
defende yow and save yow harmeles for the occupacion of the londe, or
any thynge that ye schall doo in my titill a gaynst hym, and it schulde
cost me as moche as the maner is worth, and also another tyme to doo as
moche for yow, and it ly in my powre, yf ye have ony mater to doo ther
as I may doo for yow.
And, also, I here say, by my seid frende, Syr William Storar, and by
Ric. Brown, that ye ar of suche substaunce, and of suche trust, and
suche favor in the contre ther, that it lithe in yowr powre to do a
goode turne for yowr frende.
Wretyn at London, the xxiiij^ti day of Februari.
Be WILLIAM PASTON.
[Footnote 40-2: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] It is scarcely necessary
to point out that this letter was probably written within a year
after Sir John Paston’s death.]
971