[Sidenote: 1484(?)]
The manor of Stansted is in the county of Suffolk. The estate of this
manor passed not by the deed that the estate was taken by at
Huntingfeld, in Norf.,[80-1] but I claim this manor by my mother’s gift.
‘This manor is but a mile from Clopton’s and not far from Smalbrigge,
where your Grace is now.’ John Barell is farmer of this manor, who, when
I came to your Grace just after my mother’s death, confessed before your
servants, Piers Rumbold and William Smyth, that he was privy of mine
estate in my mother’s days, and took the farm of me at that time.
‘Madam, this is the man ye sent your servant W. Smyth to, for to keep
the possession there; and after he had tarried there awhile he took a
promise of the farmer that he should pay no money to nobody without
commandment from your Grace; contrary to which promise, by the favour of
some folks that your Grace can deem, he hath paid my nephew a £10 or
£20.’ I think, Madam, you need send no man to keep possession there; but
your Grace might send a servant thither to show the tenants your
displeasure, inasmuch as he hath broken his promise with your Grace, and
threaten to distrain.
The manor of Harwellbury is in Hertfordshire, four miles from your manor
of Weston Baldok[80-2] and two from Roiston. This manor also passed not
by the estate taken in Norfolk, not being in the same shire. Of this
manor ‘he’[80-3] received no money, for the farmers are true and fear
not his threats. The manor is worth £8.
[Footnote 79-4: [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This is a paper of notes
relating to the manors of Stansted in Suffolk and Harwellbury in
Herts, addressed to a lady who is styled ‘Madam’ and ‘your Grace,’
and who, though not named, was undoubtedly the Duchess of Norfolk.
Compare No. 962. The writer is perhaps John Paston of Gelston; in
which case the date must be after 1484, as he speaks of his mother
as being dead. More probably it was his uncle William, and John
Paston is the nephew referred to in the paper itself. But even in
that case the document cannot be five years earlier, as Agnes
Paston died in 1479.]
[Footnote 80-1: Should be Suffolk.]
[Footnote 80-2: The Dukes of Norfolk of the family of Mowbray
owned this manor.]
[Footnote 80-3: The writer’s nephew?]
[[Footnote 79-4
the document cannot be five years earlier
_printed as shown: missing “over”, “more than” or similar?_]]
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