[Sidenote: 1463 / MARCH 19]
To all tho to whom this present wrytyng shall come, Rauff Lampet,
Squier, sendyth gretyng in our Lord. And forasmoch as it is meritory to
bere witnesse of trought, and that I knowe and herd the disposicion and
will of Ser John Fastolff, knyght, aftir the forme folowyng, and am
requered to sey the trought, I record and testifie, and bere witnesse
that Ser John Fastolff, knyght, abought the tyme of hervest was v. yere,
that was the yere of our Lord M^{l}cccclvij. at Caster, fast by Mekyll
Yarmouth, in the Shire of Norffolk, in presens of divers persones that
tyme callid to by the seid Ser John, ded make estat and feffement and
livery of seison of the maner of Caster aforeseid, and other maners,
londs, and tenements in Norffolk to John Paston, Squier, and other. And
at that livery of season thereof delivered, as well by the hands of the
seid Ser John as be other, the seid Ser John Fastolff by his owne mouth
declared his will and entent of that feffement and livery of season, mad
to the use of the seid Ser John as for duryng his life only, and aftir
his decese to the use of the seid John Paston and his heyrs. And also
the seid Ser John seid and declared, that the seid John Paston was best
frend, and helper, and supporter to the seid Ser John, and that it was
his will that the seid John Paston shuld have and inherite the same
maners, londs, and tenements, and other, aftir his decese, and ther to
dwelle and abide, and kepe howsold, seying that he knew well that the
disposicion of the seid Paston was to do good in the contry, and be non
oppressor of the pore pepill. And the seid Ser John desired me, and
Daune William Bokenham, that tyme Prior of Yarmouth, beynge presente, to
record as he had seid to us. And this I record and witnesse for trought
be the feyght that I owe to God and all Seynts. In witnesse wherof to
this my writyng I have set to my seall and signe manuell the xix. day of
March, the third yer of the reigne of Kyng Edward the Fourth.