Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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Paston Letters Volume 5 is in Paston Letters.
14th April 1471 Battle of Barnet
4th May 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury
Sir John Paston to Margaret Paston, 18th April 1471.
Moodre, I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wette that, blyssed be God, my brother John is a lyffe and farethe well, and in no perell off dethe. Never the lesse he is hurt with an arow on hys ryght arme, be nethe the elbow; and I have sent hym a serjon, whyche hathe dressid hym, and he tellythe me that he trustythe that he schall be all holl with in ryght schort tyme. It is so that John Mylsent is ded, God have mercy on hys sowle! and Wylliam Mylsent is on lyffe, and hys other servants all be askepyd by all lyklihod.
Item, as ffor me, I ame in good case, blyssyd be God; and in no joparte off my lyffe, as me lyst my self; for I am at my lyberte iff nede bee.
Item, my Lorde Archebysshop [aged 39] is in the Towr; neverthelesse I trust to God that he schall do well i noghe; he hathe a saffe garde for hym and me bothe. Neverthelesse we have ben troblyd syns, but nowe I undrestande that he hathe a pardon; and so we hope well.
Ther was kyllyd uppon the ffelde, halffe a myle ffrom Bernett, on Esterne Daye, the Erle of Warwyk, the Marqweys Montacu, Sir William Terrell, Sir Lewes Johns, and dyverse other Esquiers off owr contre, Godmerston and Bothe.
And on the Kynge Edwardes partye, the Lord Cromwell [deceased], the Lord Saye [deceased], Sir Omffrey Bowghsher off owr contre, whyche is a sore moonyd man her, and other peple off bothe partyes to the nombre off mor then a ml.
As for other tythynges, is undrestande her that the Qwyen Margrett is verrely londyd and hyr sone in the west contre, and I trow that as to morow, or ellys the next daye, the Kynge Edwarde wyll depart ffrom hense to hyr warde, to dryve her owt ageyn.
Item, I beseche yow that I may be recomendyd to my cosyn Lomner, and to thanke hym ffor hys goode wyll to me wardes, iff I had hadde nede, as I undrestoode by the berer heroff; and I beseche you on my behalve to advyse hym to be well ware off hys delyng or langage as yit, ffor the worlde, I ensur yow, is ryght qwesye, as ye schall know with in thys monthe; the peple heer feerythe it soor.
God hathe schewyd Hym selffe marvelouslye lyke Hym that made all, and can undoo ageyn whan Hym lyst; and I kan thynke that by all lyklyod schall schewe Hym sylff as mervylous ageyn, and that in schort tyme; and, as I suppose, offter than onys in casis lyke.
Item, it is soo that my brother is on purveyed off monye. I have holpyn hym to my power and above. Wherffor as it pleasythe yow remembre hym, ffor kan not purveye ffor my selffe in the same case.
Wretyn at London the thorysdaye in Esterne weke. I hope hastely to see yow.
All thys bylle most be secrett. Be ye not adoghtyd off the worlde, ffor I trust all schall be well. Iff it thusse contenewe, I ame not all undon, nor noon off us; and iff otherwyse, then, &c. &c.
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18th April 1471. 774. Sir John Paston [aged 29] to Margaret Paston.
To my Moodre
Moodre, I recomande me to yow, letyng yow wette that, blyssed be God, my brother John [aged 27] is a lyffe and farethe well, and in no perell off dethe. Never the lesse he is hurt with an arow on hys ryght arme, be nethe the elbow; and I have sent hym a serjon, whyche hathe dressid hym, and he tellythe me that he trustythe that he schall be all holl with in ryght schort tyme. It is so that John Mylsent is ded, God have mercy on hys sowle! and Wylliam Mylsent is on lyffe, and hys other servants all be askepyd by all lyklihod. Item, as ffor me, I ame in good case, blyssyd be God; and in no joparte off my lyffe, as me lyst my self; for I am at my lyberte iff nede bee.
Item, my Lorde Archebysshop [aged 39] is in the Towr; neverthelesse I trust to God that he schall do well i noghe; he hathe a saffe garde for hym and me bothe. Neverthelesse we have ben troblyd syns, but nowe I undrestande that he hathe a pardon; and so we hope well.
Ther was kyllyd uppon the ffelde, halffe a myle ffrom Bernett, on Esterne Daye, the Erle of Warwyk [deceased], the Marqweys Montacu [deceased], Sir William Terrell, Sir Lewes Johns, and dyverse other Esquiers off owr contre, Godmerston and Bothe.
And on the Kynge Edwardes partye, the Lord Cromwell [deceased], the Lord Saye [deceased], Sir Omffrey Bowghsher off owr contre, whyche is a sore moonyd man her, and other peple off bothe part yes to the nomøre off mor then a Ml [1,000].
As for other tythynges, is undrestande her that the Qwyen Margrett is verrely londyd and hyr sone in the west contre, and I trow that as to morow, or ellys the next daye, the Kynge Edwarde wyll depart ffrom hense to hyr warde, to dryve her owt ageyn.
Item, I beseche yow that I may be recomendyd to my cosyn Lomner, and to thanke hym for hys goode wyll to me wardes, iff I had hadde nede, as I undrestoode by the berer heroff; and I beseche you on my behalve to advyse hym to be well ware off hys delyng or langage as yit, ffor the worlde, I ensur yow, is ryght qwesye, as ye schall know with in thys monthe; the peple heer feerythe it soor.
God hathe schewyd Hym selffe marvelouslye lyke Hym that made all, and can undoo ageyn whan Hym lyst; and I kan thynke that by all lyklyod schall schewe Hym sylff as mervylous ageyn, and that in schort tyme; and, as I suppose, offter than onys in casis lyke.
Item, it is soo that my brother is on purveyed off monye. I have holpyn hym to my power and above. Wherffor as it pleasythe yow remembre hym, Wherffor kan not purveye ffor my selffe in the same case.
Wretyn at London the thorysdaye in Esterne weke. I hope hastely to see yow.
All thys bylle most be secrett. Be ye not adoghtyd off the worlde, ffor I trust all schall be wen. Iff it thusse contenewe, I ame not all undon, nor noon off us; and iff otherwyse, then, &c. &c.
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4th May 1471. 777. The Battle of Tewkesbury1.
Ded in the Feld. Edward that was called Prynce Lord John of Somerset. Erle of Devenshire. Lord Wenlok. Sir William Vause Sir Edmond Harnden. Sir John Seymour. Sir William Bermoth. Water Barrow. Mr. William Henmar. Mr. Feldyng2. Hervy, recorder3. Mr. Herry, capteyn of Brystowe. Sir Roberte Whetyngham. Knoyll.
Thes be men that were heveded. The Duke of Somerset. The Lord of Sent Jones4. Sir Jerveys Clyfton. Humfrey Awdeley. Lowes Miles. Forey of Fraunce. Sir John Delvys5. Lord Foskew on lyffe. Sir William Carre. Sir Hew Courteney. Sir Thomas Tressham. Sir Herry Tressham. Sir William Newbery. Mr. Gower6. Mr. Awdeley7. Robert Clerke. Lechefeld, mason of W estmynster. Sir William Grymesby yet on lyffe.
Thes be the Knyghtes that the Kyng mad in the Feld. Lord Cobham. Sir George Nevel. Sir Philip Courtenay. Sir Herry Bemonde. Sir Moreys of Barkley. Sir Richard H astynges. Sir Roberte Haryngton. Sir Thomas Gray. Sir James Terell. Sir John Feres. Sir Herry F eres. Sir Berry Purpeynt. Sir John Parre. Sir John Downe. Sir Roger Kyngstone. Sir John Crokere. Sir - Skerne. Sir James Crowmere. Sir William Sandalle. Sir John Deverys. Sir Herry Grey. Sir Edward Wodehous. Sir Richard Croft. Sir John Pylkyngton. Sir John Byngham. Sir John Harley. Sir John Boteler. Sir Christofer Morysby. Sir John Clay. Sir Robert Wylleby. Sir Robert Grene. Sir Roger Ree. Sir Richard Radc1yffe. Sir John Saundes. Sir Thomas Strikelande. Sir George Browne. Sir William Motton. Sir Tery Robsert. Sir Thomas Cromewell. Sir Robert Corbet. Sir Nicholas Langford. Sir John Seyntlowe. Sir William Brandon.
Note 1. [From MS. Phillipps 9735, No. 279.] This paper is in a contemporary handwriting, and undoubtedly refers to the battle of Tewkesbury.
Note 2. Sir William Fielding, according to Warkworth's Chronicle.
Note 3. These words, 'Hervy, recorder; are written over' Herry, capteyn; as a correction; but the latter are not erased. Warkworth mentions Sir Nicholas Hervy.
Note 4. Sir John Longstruther, Prior of St. John's.
Note 5. OriginaHy written' Mr. Delvys; and corrected.
Note 6. James Gower, according to Warkworth.
Note 7. Sir Humphrey Audeley.
781. Sir JOHN PASTON [aged 29] To John Paston3
To hys well belovyd John Paston, Esquier, at Norwyche, or to Mestresse Margret, his Modre.
28th September 1471
I COMANDE me to yow, letyng yow weet that, &c.4
I wolde ffayne have the mesur wher my ffadre lythe at Bromholm; bothe the thyknesse and compase off the peler at hys hed, and ffrom that the space to the alter, and the thyknesse off that alter, and imagery off tymbre werk; and what hyght the arche is to the grounde off the ilde, and how hye the grounde off the qwyr is hyer than the grownde off the ilde.
Item, I praye yowe late the me sur by pekthred be taken or elt mesured by yerde, how moche is ffrom the northe gate, ther the brygge was, at Gressham to the sowthewall, and in lyke fforme ffrom the este syde to the west, also the hyght off the estewall, and the hyght of the sowthest towr ffrom the grownde, iff ye maye easely. Also what bred de every towr is within the wall, and whych towr is moor then other within.
Alsso how manye ffote, or what brede eche towr takythe within iche corner off the quadrate1 ovyrthwert the dorys, and how many taylors yards is from the moote syde, wher the brygg was, to the hyghe weye, or to the heddge all a longe the entre, and what brede the entre is be twyen the dykys. I praye yow, iff ye have a leyser in any wyse, se thys doone yowrselffe iff ye maye; or ellys iff Pampyng do it, or who that ye thynke can doo it, I wolle spende xxd. or as ye seme to have the sertayn off every thyng her in. And as for my Hiders tombe, I charge yow se it yowr selffe, and when I speke with yow I woll tell yow the cawses why that I desyr thys to be doon.
As ffor tydyngs, the Kyng, and the yen, and moche other pepell, ar ryden and goon to Canterbery, nevyr so moche peple seyn in Pylgrymage hertofor at ones, as men seye.
Alsso it is seyde that the Erle of Penbroke [aged 39]2 is taken on to Brettayn; and men saye that the Kynge schall have delyvere off hym hastely, and som seye that the Kynge off France woll hym saffe, and schall sett hym at lyberte ageyn.
Item, Thomas Fauconbrydge [deceased] hys hed was yesterdaye sett uppon London Brydge, lokyng into Kent warde; and men seye that hys brother was sor hurte, and scope to seyntwarye [sanctuary] to Beverle [Map].
Sir Thomas FulfForthe escaped owt of Westminster with an C. sperys, as men seye, and is in to Devenshyr; and ther he hathe strekyn off Sir John Crokkers hed, and kylt an other knyght off the Corteneys, as men seye. I wolde ye hadd yowr verry pardon at onys; wherfor I praye yow ffayle not to be at London within iiij. daye afftr Seynt Feythe;1 ye schall do goode in many thynges, and I praye yow sende me worde heroff by the next mas senger; and if it come to Mestresse Elysabeth H yggens, at the Blak Swan, sche schall conveye it to me, fFor I woll not fFayle to be ther at London ageyn within thys vj. dayes.
Mestresse Elysabeth hathe a son, and was delyveryd within ij. dayes afFtr Seynt Bertelmew;2 and hyr dowtr A. H. was the next daye afftr delyveryd off an other sone, as sche seythe, xj. weks er hyr tyme; it was crystened John, and is ded. God save all! No mor tyll I speke with yow.
Wretyn at London on Mychellmesse Evyn.
J. P., K.
Item, I praye yow late some wytty felaw, or ellys yowrselff, goo to the townes ther as thes ij. women dwelle, and inquire whether they be maryed syns and ageyn or not, ffor I holde the hoorys weddyd; and iff they be, than the appelys wer abbatyd ther by. I remembr not ther names; ye knowe them better then I. Alsso in the Schreffvys bookys ther maye ye ffynde off them
Note 3. [From Fenn, ii. 80.] The evidences of date in this letter are the same as in the last.
Note 4. Here follows an account that the Duchess of Suffolk and Duke of Norfolk intend again commencing appeals against Sir John Paston and his brother, etc., concerning Caister, etc.-F.
Note 2. Jasper Tudor.
Note 1. A drawing is here given in the original letter, apparently designed as a plan of the quadrangle of Gresham, of which the subjoined is a facsimile.
Note 1. 5 th of October.
Note 2. 24 th of August.
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On 22nd September 1471 Lancastrian Thomas "Bastard of Fauconberg" Neville [aged 42] was beheaded at Middleham Castle [Map]. See Paston Letters Volume 5 782.
17th January 1476. Sir John Paston To John Paston1
Lyke it yow to weete, that not in the most happy season 1476 ffor me, it is so ffortunyd, that wher as my Lorde off Norffolke [aged 31], yisterdaye beying in goode heele, thys nyght dyed abowte mydnyght, wherffor it is ffor aIle that lovyd hym to doo and helpe nowe that, that maye be to hys honoure, and weell to hys sowele. And it is soo, that thys contre is nott weell purveyd off clothe off golde ffor the coveryng ffor hys bodye and herse; wherffor every man helpyng to hys power, I putte the cowncell off my lorde in cowmffort, that I hoped to gete one ffor that daye, if it weer so that it be nott broken, or putt to other use.
Wherffor please it yow to sende me worde iff it be so, that ye have, or kan kom by the clothe off tyssywe that I bowte ffor our ffaders tombe, and I undretake it shall be saffyd ageyn ffor yowe on hurt at my perell; I deeme herby to gete greet thanke, and greet assystence in tyme to come; and that owther Syme or Mother Brown maye deliver it me to morow by vij. off the clokke.
Note 1. [From Fenn, ii. 186.] This letter is not addressed, but must have been intended for the writer's brother John, or else, as Fenn suggests, for his mother, Margaret. Sir John, however, ends by saying, 'Within four days I hope to see you'; and it appears by next letter that he was actually with his brother at Norwich within three days, whereas he paid no visit to his mother, who seems to have been living, as she had done for some time, at Mautby. This letter must have been written from Framlingham, whither Sir John had doubtless gone to petition the Duke of Norfolk about Caister.
Item, as ffor other means, I have sente my servaunt Richard Toring to London, whyche I hope shall brynge me goode tydyngs ageyn, and with in iiij. dayes I hope to see yowe.
Wretyn on Wednysdaye. xvij. daye off Janyver, anno E. iiili xyO.
John Paston, K.
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21st January 1476. John Paston To Margaret Paston1
To my ryght worchepful modyr., Margaret Paston.
After all dewtes of recomendacyon, pleasyt yow to weet that as yesterday att noon my brodyr Sir John departyd fro Norwyche towardes London; for as now all the sped is with the Kyng for the swerte of the maner of Caster., consyderyng the dyeing seasyd of my Lord of Norffolk [deceased]. He trustyth to be in thys contre ayen with in x. or xij. dayes. And at hys departyng he seyd to me that ye sent hym woord to selle the clothe of gold, if he myght selle it well, whyche clothe I thynke may be sold, iff ye wyll agre; not withstandyng I wylIe make no bargayn for it, tyll ye send me woord of the serteyn some what ye wyll have for it, or ellys ye to have it ayen. Sir Robard Wyngfeld offyrd me yesterday xx. mark for it, but I wot well ye shall have more for it, if ye wyll sell it; wher for, as ye wyll deele in this mater, I prey yow send me woord to morew be tymys, for if thys bargayn be forsakyn., I trow it wyll be longe er ye kan get an other bargayn to selle it eny thyng aftyr that is woorthe.
Modyr., in as humbyll wyse as I can, I beseche yow of your blyssyng. I trust fro hense foorthe that we shall have our chyldyr in rest with ought rebwkyng for ther pleying wanton; for it is told me your ostass at Freton hathe gotyn hyr syche a thyng to pley with, that our other chyldyr shall have leve to sporte theym. God send hyr joye of it.
Wretyn at Norwyche, thys Sonday.
Your sone and humbyll servaunt,
John Paston.
Note 1. [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter is shown by internal evidence to have been written shortly after the Duke of Norfolk's death, which, as we have seen, took place on the 17th January 1476. It was written on a Sunday, and states that Sir John Paston had left Norwich the day before. The letter following, which is of the 23rd January, is dated by John Paston, 'Tuesday next after your (Sir John's) departing; so that the Sunday on which this was written must certainly have been the 21st.
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[27th January 1476] Item, I praye yow recomande me to my moodr, and lat us aIle prey God sende my Lady off Norffolk a soone, for uppon that restythe moche Inater; ffor if the Kyngys soone mary my lords dowghtr, the Kynge wolde that hys so one sholde have a flayr place in Norffolk, thowhe he sholde gyffe me ij. tymes the valywe in other londe, as I am doon to weete. I praye yow sende me worde off my ladyes spede as soone as ye kan.
Item, as ffor Bowen I shall ffele hym, and sholde have doon, thowghe ye hadde nott sente.
Item, ther is offryd me a goode marriage for my suster Anne Skypwithys sone and heyr off Lynkolneshyre, a man v. or vj. mrke by year. No mor.
Wretyn at London, the xxvij. daye off Janyver [1476], anno E. iiijti xvo .
Item, my Lady off Excester [deceased] is ded, and it was seyde that bothe the olde Dywchesse off Norffolk, and the Cowntesse off Oxenfforde weer ded, but it is nott soo yitt.
Item, I shall remembr Caleyse bothe for horse and alJe, &c.
14th February 1477. Margery Brews to John Paston [aged 33]1.
Unto my ryght welebelovyd Voluntyn, John Paston, Squyer, be this bill delyvered, &c.
Right reverent and wurschypfull, and my ryght welebeloved Voluntyne [Valentine], I recomande me unto yowe, ffull hertely desyring to here of yowr welefare, whech I beseche Almyghty God long for to preserve un to Hys plesur, and yowr herts desyre. And yf it please yowe to here of my welefar, I am not in good heele of body, nor of herte, nor schall be tyll I her ffrom yowe;
For there wottys no creature what peyn that I endure,
And for to be deede, I dare it not dyscure [discover].
And my lady my moder hath labored the mater to my ffadur full delygently, but sche can no mor gete then ye knowe of, for the whech God knowyth I am full sory. But yf that ye loffe me, as I tryste verely that ye do, ye will not leffe me therefor; for if that ye hade not halfe the lyvelode that ye hafe, for to do the grettest labur that any woman on lyve myght, I wold not forsake yowe.
And yf ye commande me to kepe me true wherever I go,
I wyse I will do all my myght yowe to love and never no mo.
And yf my freends say, that I do amys,
Thei schal not me let so for to do,
Myne hene me bydds ever more to love yowe
Truly over all erthely thing,
And yf thei be never so wroth,
I tryst it schall be better in tyme commyng.
No more to yo we at this tyme, but the Holy Trinite hafe yowe in kepyng. And I besech yowe that this bill be not seyn of none erthely creatur safe only your selffe, &c.
And thys letter was indyte at Topcroft, with full hevy herte, &c.
By your own, Margery Brews.
Note 1. [From Fenn, ii. 210.]
Note. This letter is considered by many to be the first Valentine's message.
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