[Sidenote: 1450(?) / SEPT. 29]
Reports the disposition of ‘my master,’ the Provost. Francis Costard
brought his evidence to my master’s presence, where it was examined. He
wondered what title you would claim to the land. I said, men said it was
once free till it was soiled by a bondman. He gave more weight to the
evidence of John Aleyn and Nicholas Waterman. Aleyn says he was steward
of the manor, in Garleke’s days, forty years, and never knew it claimed
for bond ground; and the said Nicholas says it was he who moved your
father to buy the manor. Many others have set their seals to corroborate
this. Asked him to be good unto Henry Halman, who was amerced in his
court for chastising a servant of his, a bondman of yours. My master
asked mockingly if a man might not beat his own wife.
Sporle, Michaelmas morning.
[This letter would seem to belong to the same year as No. 128, in
which ‘Costard’s _nisi prius_’ and an action against Halman are
referred to. No. 129 also mentions Halman and the writer of this
letter.]
[Footnote 172.1: [From Paston MSS., B.M.]]
141