Sir John Fastolf to John Paston at the Temple

350

ABSTRACT¹

SIR JOHN FASTOLF TO JOHN PASTON AT THE TEMPLE.

     Received certain letters by Henry Hanson on Thursday last, including one
from William Barker written in Lukett’s hand, and two bills of supplication,
one of which, in the name of the tenants of Cotton, he has sent to Paston, as
he has already written. John Russe and Geoff. Spyrlyng have ridden to
Cotton in consequence, and will inform Paston how they speed. Thinks the
bill ‘right good and well spoken according to the truth of their riotous demean-
ing.’ Received at the same time a bill written in his own name, of which he
approves. Hears that young Henry Wentworth, young Calthorpe, and young
Brews were at the distress-taking, among others. Has perfect confidence in
Paston as to the treaty, and hopes to obtain again the manor of Bradwell by
some means, as clear as he had it before his unhappy release. Hears that the
Chief Justice ‘rectid the matter’ in Parliament before the Lords, and showed
how Fastolf was wronged in that it was untruly found by the office that he had
disseised Sir Hue Fastolf of the manor, whereas he has documents proving a
true sale. My Lady of York has been here, ‘and sore moved me for the
purchase of Castre.’ Begs him to devise means for the licence of mortising of
certain buildings for the foundation of a college, ‘as ye and I have commoned
of before.’ William Worcester can show him a copy of one passed by the
King, and signed ready to the late Chancellor Stafford. Desires him to make
himself acquainted with two chaplains about my Lord of Canterbury and my
Lord Chancellor. William Barker writes of a general treaty, to which he can
make no answer further than he has already done to Yelverton and Paston.

     Castre, Monday after St. Martin.

     [In this letter, as in the last, we have Worcester and Barker both in London,
which, we have seen, points to the year 1456. It is clear also that this letter was
written just before that which follows.]

¹ [From MS. Phillipps, 9735, No. 259.]    

1456
NOV. 15