_To the worchepfull sir, John Paston esquyer._
[Sidenote: 1456(?) / APRIL 25]
Worchepfull Sir, my reverent and right trusty maister and cosyn,
I recommaunde me to you. Lyke you to wyte that wher I have made my fyne
of Ikburgh with Nicholas Waterman, thanne beyng feodary to my Lorde of
Yorke, as the same Nicholas wil recorde, wherof sufficient writyng is
had; the which payment, so made, is sufficient in the lawe; in the which
caas noo newe feodary is chargeable nor I demaundable, but the seide
Nicholas owe to answere therof in his accompt; and if he concele, my
Lorde may have good remedy ageyns hym, and so owe to do. The which not
withstandyng, oon I trowe called Osbarn, som tyme your servant, now my
Lordis feodary, hath often meved to do I wote not, and now late hath
distreyned my cattel, and seith he wil dryve hem awey, &c., and wil have
C_s._ for fyne, wher my uncle paied xxvj_s._ viij_d._, Herry Somer
xx_s._, and so many other ded. Sir, he may do me a pety shame in
distreyning and dryvyng awey to make me hevy, and hym not glad I hoop at
the loong, but wroong shal he nor any other do me, wher I may gete
remedy by the lawe in any place throw Goddis mercy. Wherfor, sir, if he
be stille in your servyse, lyke you I myght have knowlech, and thanne if
your discreccion semith any thyng that I owe to do, by you I wil be
advertysed and ruled; and if I coude conceyve that I owe to pay ageyn,
as I understonde clerly the contrary, forsothe in right hasty seson wold
I provyde and send hym from my seid lorde a sufficient discharge for myn
more availl, that he shuld noght lose by me. And that is reson aswele,
for that I wil not, by Goddis grace be hurted by hym, nor geve hym cause
by my wil. I deserve my lordis good lordeship as wele as any other of my
simple poer her. I besech you that by this simple bille I may be
recommaunded to my worchepful maistresse. The blissid Trinite have you
in His holy governaunce. Written, London xxv. day of Aprill.
Youris owen,