In Dei nomine, amen. Ego Willelmus Paston de Paston, sane mentis et memorie, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum. In primis, lego animam meam Omnipotenti Deo, Beate Marie, et omnibus sanctis, et corpus meum sepeliendum ad finem australem altaris in capella Beate Marie in fine orientali ecclesie cathedralis Sancte Trinitatis Norwici. Etsi contingat corpus meum ibidem sepeliri, lego cuilibet monacho sacerdoti ecclesie predicte qui singulis diebus aliqua septimana per septem annos proximo sequentes post mortem meam missam de Spiritu Sancto in capella predicta tempore celebracionis summe misse in eadem ecclesia decantauerit, ad exorandum in eadem missa de Spiritu Sancto et in alijs diuinis per ipsum diebus illis factis pro anima mea et animabus vxoris mee, patrum, matrum, et omnium consanguineorum et benefactorum nostrorum, et omnium quorum debitores sumus, et omnium per nos iniuriam paciencium, et eorum omnium pro quibus Deo e.t deprecandum, et omnium fidelium defunctorum, septem denarios. Item, lego Roberto nunc priori ecclesie Sancti Andree de Bromholm quadraginta so lidos; et cuilibet monacho eiusdem ecclesie conuentus de Bromholm sex solidos et octo denarios; et executoribus testamenti Ricardi Causton nu per vicarij ecclesie de Paston viginti solidos; et executoribus testamenti Ade nu per vicarij ecclesie de Bakton sex solidos et octo denarios, ita quod remittant 2 et relaxent in consciencijs suis animabus predictis si que per earum aliquam sibi debita fuerint. Et si hoe remittere et relaxare recusauerint, de predictis legatis nihil habeant, sed in omnibus que sibi per animas predictas vel earum aliquam deberi racionabiliter aut euidenter, in consciencia vel aliter, iuxta discrecionem executorum meorum aut maioris 2. partis eorundem, probauerint aut verificauerint, sibi satisfaciant executores mei. Residuum vero bonorum meorum omnium non legatorum do et lego Agneti vxori mee, Johanni filio meo, Willelmo Bakton, et Johanni Damme de Sustede, quos ordino et constituo executores huius testamenti, mei, vt ipsi inde disponant pro[ut] in iustis consciencijs suis magis viderint Deo placere et animabus predictis prodesse. In cuius rei testimonium presentibus sigillum meum apposui. Datum decimo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo. Huius autem testamenti mei venerabilem in Christo patrem et dominum Dominum Willelmum Lincolniensem episcopum ordino et constituo superuisorem.
. . . Ita quod eadem maneria de Oxenede, Marlyngforde, Stanstede, et Horwelbury, et terre et tenementa que fuerunt Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu alicuius eorum, cum pertinencijs, post mortem prefate Agnetis remaneant heredibus de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exeuntibus. Et predicta manerium de Shipdene et parcella manerij de Latymers ac dicta mesuagia, molendinum, terre et tenementa nuper Clementis Paston et Hugonis atte Fen, seu alicuius eorum, cum pertinencijs, post mortem predicte Agnetis ad predictas personas feoffatas seu feoffandas, heredes et assignatos suos reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et si nullus extiterit heres de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exiens, quod tune post mortem eiusdem Agnetis predictum manerium de Oxenede et dicta terre et tenementa nuper predictorum Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu vnius eorum, cum pertinencijs, ad predictos f eoffatos et heredes suos similiter reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et quod predicta maneria de Marlyngford, Stanstede, et Horwelbury, cum pertinencijs, remaneant rectis heredibus Edmundi Barry, militis, patris predicte Agnetis, imperpetuum.
Item, volo quod predicte persone vt predicitur, feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, paciantur et permittant Robertum Clere, armigerum, Edmundum Clere, armigerum, Johannem Pagraue, armigerum, Wilelmum Bakton de Bakton, et Johannem Damme de Sustede, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Snaylwell et predicta alia terras et tenementa in Snaylwell in toto, per communem estimacionem, ad valenciam quadraginta marcarum per annum occupare et exitus et proficua inde percipere et habere a festo Sancti Michaelis proximo sequenti post mortem meam vsque Edmundus filius meus iam etatis xviij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xxj annorum .... Et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Edmundo filio meo, quousque ad dictam etatem xxj annorum peruenerit, racionabiles victum, vestitum, apparatum, et sustentacionem, iuxta gradus sui exigenciam sic quod non superbiat, inueniant, et eum tarn ad artis dialectice per dimidium annum, iuris ciuilis per vnum annum, ac iuris regni Anglie postea ad sufficienciam, si fieri poterit, sub sana tutela prouidenter ponant et ipsum in eisdem continuare et residere faciant prout eisdem melius visum fuerit ipsum Edmundum in hac parte sapere et intelligere et sibi in futurum prodesse; et domos, muros, edificia, et clausuras in eodem manerio nostro existencia racionabiliter reparari faciant, et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluant, et hoe quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem
Item, volo quod predicte persone prout predicitur, feoffate seu f(eoffande), heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictos Robertum Clere, Edmund um Clere, Johannem Pagraue, Willelmum Bakton, et Johannem Damme, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Beauchamp et Hollewelhalle et dicta alia mesuagia, terras, tenementa, tofta, clausuras, redditus et seruicia quondam Ricardi Doket, Willelmi Thuxton, Johannis Patgris senioris, Johannis Whynne, et Eustachij Rows, seu aliquorum vel alicuius eorum, in Wymondham, Carleton, Bonnewell, Estodenham, et alijs villis adiacentibus, per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ( .. . ) et proficua inde percipere et habere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Willelmus filius meus iam etatis vij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xviij annorum, et quod ijdem Robertus Clere, Edmundus Clere, Johannes Pagraue, Willelmus Bakton, et Johannes Damme, vel dicti duo eorum, quinque marcas annuatim prouenientes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis per octo annos proximo sequentes predictum festum Sancti Michaelis, per discrecionem ( ... ) predicte Agnetis annuatim distribuant inter pauperes et debiles predictos et [pro] missis, oracionibus, et suffragijs celebrandis (. . .) in forma predicta et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Willelmo filio meo vsque ad dictam etatem xviij annorum ( .. . ) statum et sustentacionem iuxta gradus sui exigenciam, sic quod non superbiat, inueniant et tribuant ( ... ) scolas ponant et ibidem ( ... ) residere faciant prout predicitur de predicto filio meo Edmundo, et domos, muros, et clausuras ( .. .) repararent et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde soluant et de residuo dictorum exituum et proficuorum dicto Willelmo filio meo satisfaciant ( ... ) statum de eisde'm manerio, terris, r et 7 tenementis iuxta hanc voluntatem meam ( ... ) heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictam Agnetem (...) West Somerton, Hennesby, Martham, et Wynterton, tarn illa que fuerunt ( ... ) de Reston in toto per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ( ... ) gaudere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Clemens filius meus ( ... ) xviij annorum, et quod eadem Agnes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Clementi Paston ( ... ) xviij annorum, et Elizabeth filie mee quousque maritetur, racionabiles victum, vestitum ( ... ) exigenciam, sic quod non superbiant, et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis nutriatur honeste (. . . ) filiam predictam Elizabeth prout statui suo conuenit, ac inueniat et ponat predictum Clementem ( ... ) scolas grammaticales quam alias et ceteras erudiciones prout predicitur de predictis fratribus suis; et domos, muros, clausuras, et edificia in eisdem mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis existencia racionabiliter reparari faciat et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluat ac annuatim quousque ( ... ) Clemens filius meus ad dictam etatem xviij annorum [peruenerit] distribuat manu propria in elemosinis iuxta discrecionem suam inter magis pauperes et debiles creaturas, in honore quinque principalium vulnerum et passionis Domini N ostri J esu Christi et quinque gaudiorum Beate Marie Virginis et Matris eius, pro animabus predictis, quinque marcas. Et de hoe quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem predicti Clementis filij mei remanserit, satisfaciat eadem Agnes iuxta sanam conscienciam suam eidem Clementi tempore quo ipse iuxta hanc voluntatem meam statum de eisdem manerio, mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis de predictis personis feoffatis siue feoffandis receperit; et quod dicte persone feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, infra xl dies proximo sequentes postquam ipsi post festum Sancti Michaelis proximum post mortem meam per Johannem Paston filium meum primogenitum racionabiliter fuerint requisiti, per facta sua tripartita et indentata dimittent, liberent, et assignent predicto Johanni Paston, iam etatis xx annorum et amplius, predictum manerium de Gresham cum pertinencijs, habendum eidem Johanni ad totam vitam suam; ita quod si contingat predictum Johannem Paston aliquem exitum vel heredem de corpore Margarete nunc vxoris sue procreare, quod tune idem manerium cum pertinencijs post mortem eiusdem Johannis remaneat dicte vxori sue, ten end um sibi ad terminum vite eiusdem vxoris. Et si predictus Johannes Paston null um exitum vel heredem de corpore dicte vxoris sue procreauerit, tune immediate post mortem eiusdem Johannis idem manerium cum pertinencijs heredibus masculis de corpore meo exeuntibus integre remaneat. . . .
Item, volo quod predicta Elizabeth filia mea habeat ducentas libras legalis monete ad maritagium suum si ipsa per auisamentum predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum maritetur, prouiso semper quod eadem Elizabeth pari sexu et etate in bona et competenti consanguinitatis linea maritata sit, et per maritagium illud habeat statum sufficientem et securum in lege sibi et viro suo et heredibus de corporibus suis exeuntibus, si fieri poterit1 seu saltem ad totam vitam suam, in terris et tenementis valoris quadraginta librarum per annum ad minus. Et si eadem Elizabeth antequam maritata fuerit obierit, quod tune dicte pecunie summa pro maritagio eius limitata in solucione debitorum que me debere contingat et in reformacione et satisfactione mesprisionum et extorcionum, si quas fecerim, et pro animabus predictis fideliter distribuatur per discrecionem predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum. In cuius rei testimonium ego prefatus Willelmus Paston presentibus sigillum meuni apposui. Datum vicesimo primo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo.
Probata fuerunt predicta testamentum et vltima voluntas coram nobis Alexandro Prowet, decretorum inceptore, ac reuerendissimi in Christo patris et domini Domini Johannis, permissione diuina Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, commissario generali, &c.. vicesimo quarto die mensis Nouembris anno Domini millesimo ccccmo xliiijt0
In Dei nomine, amen. Ego Willelmus Paston de Paston, sane mentis et memorie, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum. In primis, lego animam meam Omnipotenti Deo, Beate Marie, et omnibus sanctis, et corpus meum sepeliendum ad finem australem altaris in capella Beate Marie in fine orientali ecclesie cathedralis Sancte Trinitatis Norwici. Etsi contingat corpus meum ibidem sepeliri, lego cuilibet monacho sacerdoti ecclesie predicte qui singulis diebus aliqua septimana per septem annos proximo sequentes post mortem meam missam de Spiritu Sancto in capella predicta tempore celebracionis summe misse in eadem ecclesia decantauerit, ad exorandum in eadem missa de Spiritu Sancto et in alijs diuinis per ipsum diebus illis factis pro anima mea et animabus vxoris mee, patrum, matrum, et omnium consanguineorum et benefactorum nostrorum, et omnium quorum debitores sumus, et omnium per nos iniuriam paciencium, et eorum omnium pro quibus Deo e.t deprecandum, et omnium fidelium defunctorum, septem denarios. Item, lego Roberto nunc priori ecclesie Sancti Andree de Bromholm quadraginta so lidos; et cuilibet monacho eiusdem ecclesie conuentus de Bromholm sex solidos et octo denarios; et executoribus testamenti Ricardi Causton nu per vicarij ecclesie de Paston viginti solidos; et executoribus testamenti Ade nu per vicarij ecclesie de Bakton sex solidos et octo denarios, ita quod remittant 2 et relaxent in consciencijs suis animabus predictis si que per earum aliquam sibi debita fuerint. Et si hoe remittere et relaxare recusauerint, de predictis legatis nihil habeant, sed in omnibus que sibi per animas predictas vel earum aliquam deberi racionabiliter aut euidenter, in consciencia vel aliter, iuxta discrecionem executorum meorum aut maioris 2. partis eorundem, probauerint aut verificauerint, sibi satisfaciant executores mei. Residuum vero bonorum meorum omnium non legatorum do et lego Agneti vxori mee, Johanni filio meo, Willelmo Bakton, et Johanni Damme de Sustede, quos ordino et constituo executores huius testamenti, mei, vt ipsi inde disponant pro[ut] in iustis consciencijs suis magis viderint Deo placere et animabus predictis prodesse. In cuius rei testimonium presentibus sigillum meum apposui. Datum decimo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo. Huius autem testamenti mei venerabilem in Christo patrem et dominum Dominum Willelmum Lincolniensem episcopum ordino et constituo superuisorem.
. . . Ita quod eadem maneria de Oxenede, Marlyngforde, Stanstede, et Horwelbury, et terre et tenementa que fuerunt Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu alicuius eorum, cum pertinencijs, post mortem prefate Agnetis remaneant heredibus de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exeuntibus. Et predicta manerium de Shipdene et parcella manerij de Latymers ac dicta mesuagia, molendinum, terre et tenementa nuper Clementis Paston et Hugonis atte Fen, seu alicuius eorum, cum pertinencijs, post mortem predicte Agnetis ad predictas personas feoffatas seu feoffandas, heredes et assignatos suos reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et si nullus extiterit heres de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exiens, quod tune post mortem eiusdem Agnetis predictum manerium de Oxenede et dicta terre et tenementa nuper predictorum Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu vnius eorum, cum pertinencijs, ad predictos f eoffatos et heredes suos similiter reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et quod predicta maneria de Marlyngford, Stanstede, et Horwelbury, cum pertinencijs, remaneant rectis heredibus Edmundi Barry, militis, patris predicte Agnetis, imperpetuum.
Item, volo quod predicte persone vt predicitur, feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, paciantur et permittant Robertum Clere, armigerum, Edmundum Clere, armigerum, Johannem Pagraue, armigerum, Wilelmum Bakton de Bakton, et Johannem Damme de Sustede, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Snaylwell et predicta alia terras et tenementa in Snaylwell in toto, per communem estimacionem, ad valenciam quadraginta marcarum per annum occupare et exitus et proficua inde percipere et habere a festo Sancti Michaelis proximo sequenti post mortem meam vsque Edmundus filius meus iam etatis xviij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xxj annorum .... Et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Edmundo filio meo, quousque ad dictam etatem xxj annorum peruenerit, racionabiles victum, vestitum, apparatum, et sustentacionem, iuxta gradus sui exigenciam sic quod non superbiat, inueniant, et eum tarn ad artis dialectice per dimidium annum, iuris ciuilis per vnum annum, ac iuris regni Anglie postea ad sufficienciam, si fieri poterit, sub sana tutela prouidenter ponant et ipsum in eisdem continuare et residere faciant prout eisdem melius visum fuerit ipsum Edmundum in hac parte sapere et intelligere et sibi in futurum prodesse; et domos, muros, edificia, et clausuras in eodem manerio nostro existencia racionabiliter reparari faciant, et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluant, et hoe quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem
Item, volo quod predicte persone prout predicitur, feoffate seu f(eoffande), heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictos Robertum Clere, Edmund um Clere, Johannem Pagraue, Willelmum Bakton, et Johannem Damme, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Beauchamp et Hollewelhalle et dicta alia mesuagia, terras, tenementa, tofta, clausuras, redditus et seruicia quondam Ricardi Doket, Willelmi Thuxton, Johannis Patgris senioris, Johannis Whynne, et Eustachij Rows, seu aliquorum vel alicuius eorum, in Wymondham, Carleton, Bonnewell, Estodenham, et alijs villis adiacentibus, per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ( .. . ) et proficua inde percipere et habere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Willelmus filius meus iam etatis vij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xviij annorum, et quod ijdem Robertus Clere, Edmundus Clere, Johannes Pagraue, Willelmus Bakton, et Johannes Damme, vel dicti duo eorum, quinque marcas annuatim prouenientes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis per octo annos proximo sequentes predictum festum Sancti Michaelis, per discrecionem ( ... ) predicte Agnetis annuatim distribuant inter pauperes et debiles predictos et [pro] missis, oracionibus, et suffragijs celebrandis (. . .) in forma predicta et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Willelmo filio meo vsque ad dictam etatem xviij annorum ( .. . ) statum et sustentacionem iuxta gradus sui exigenciam, sic quod non superbiat, inueniant et tribuant ( ... ) scolas ponant et ibidem ( ... ) residere faciant prout predicitur de predicto filio meo Edmundo, et domos, muros, et clausuras ( .. .) repararent et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde soluant et de residuo dictorum exituum et proficuorum dicto Willelmo filio meo satisfaciant ( ... ) statum de eisde'm manerio, terris, r et 7 tenementis iuxta hanc voluntatem meam ( ... ) heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictam Agnetem (...) West Somerton, Hennesby, Martham, et Wynterton, tarn illa que fuerunt ( ... ) de Reston in toto per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ( ... ) gaudere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Clemens filius meus ( ... ) xviij annorum, et quod eadem Agnes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Clementi Paston ( ... ) xviij annorum, et Elizabeth filie mee quousque maritetur, racionabiles victum, vestitum ( ... ) exigenciam, sic quod non superbiant, et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis nutriatur honeste (. . . ) filiam predictam Elizabeth prout statui suo conuenit, ac inueniat et ponat predictum Clementem ( ... ) scolas grammaticales quam alias et ceteras erudiciones prout predicitur de predictis fratribus suis; et domos, muros, clausuras, et edificia in eisdem mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis existencia racionabiliter reparari faciat et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluat ac annuatim quousque ( ... ) Clemens filius meus ad dictam etatem xviij annorum [peruenerit] distribuat manu propria in elemosinis iuxta discrecionem suam inter magis pauperes et debiles creaturas, in honore quinque principalium vulnerum et passionis Domini N ostri J esu Christi et quinque gaudiorum Beate Marie Virginis et Matris eius, pro animabus predictis, quinque marcas. Et de hoe quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem predicti Clementis filij mei remanserit, satisfaciat eadem Agnes iuxta sanam conscienciam suam eidem Clementi tempore quo ipse iuxta hanc voluntatem meam statum de eisdem manerio, mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis de predictis personis feoffatis siue feoffandis receperit; et quod dicte persone feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, infra xl dies proximo sequentes postquam ipsi post festum Sancti Michaelis proximum post mortem meam per Johannem Paston filium meum primogenitum racionabiliter fuerint requisiti, per facta sua tripartita et indentata dimittent, liberent, et assignent predicto Johanni Paston, iam etatis xx annorum et amplius, predictum manerium de Gresham cum pertinencijs, habendum eidem Johanni ad totam vitam suam; ita quod si contingat predictum Johannem Paston aliquem exitum vel heredem de corpore Margarete nunc vxoris sue procreare, quod tune idem manerium cum pertinencijs post mortem eiusdem Johannis remaneat dicte vxori sue, ten end um sibi ad terminum vite eiusdem vxoris. Et si predictus Johannes Paston null um exitum vel heredem de corpore dicte vxoris sue procreauerit, tune immediate post mortem eiusdem Johannis idem manerium cum pertinencijs heredibus masculis de corpore meo exeuntibus integre remaneat. . . .
Item, volo quod predicta Elizabeth filia mea habeat ducentas libras legalis monete ad maritagium suum si ipsa per auisamentum predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum maritetur, prouiso semper quod eadem Elizabeth pari sexu et etate in bona et competenti consanguinitatis linea maritata sit, et per maritagium illud habeat statum sufficientem et securum in lege sibi et viro suo et heredibus de corporibus suis exeuntibus, si fieri poterit1 seu saltem ad totam vitam suam, in terris et tenementis valoris quadraginta librarum per annum ad minus. Et si eadem Elizabeth antequam maritata fuerit obierit, quod tune dicte pecunie summa pro maritagio eius limitata in solucione debitorum que me debere contingat et in reformacione et satisfactione mesprisionum et extorcionum, si quas fecerim, et pro animabus predictis fideliter distribuatur per discrecionem predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum. In cuius rei testimonium ego prefatus Willelmus Paston presentibus sigillum meuni apposui. Datum vicesimo primo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo.
Probata fuerunt predicta testamentum et vltima voluntas coram nobis Alexandro Prowet, decretorum inceptore, ac reuerendissimi in Christo patris et domini Domini Johannis, permissione diuina Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, commissario generali, &c.. vicesimo quarto die mensis Nouembris anno Domini millesimo ccccmo xliiijt0
In Dei nomine, amen. Ego Willelmus Paston de Paston, sane mentis et memorie, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum. In primis, lego animam meam Omnipotenti Deo, Beate Marie, et omnibus sanctis, et corpus meum sepeliendum ad finem australem altaris in capella Beate Marie in fine orientali ecclesie cathedralis Sancte Trinitatis Norwici. Etsi contingat corpus meum ibidem sepeliri, lego cuilibet monacho sacerdoti ecclesie predicte qui singulis diebus aliqua septimana per septem annos proximo sequentes post mortem meam missam de Spiritu Sancto in capella predicta tempore celebracionis summe misse in eadem ecclesia decantauerit, ad exorandum in eadem missa de Spiritu Sancto et in alijs diuinis per ipsum diebus illis factis pro anima mea et animabus vxoris mee, patrum, matrum, et omnium consanguineorum et benefactorum nostrorum, et omnium quorum debitores sumus, et omnium per nos iniuriam paciencium, et eorum omnium pro quibus Deo e.t deprecandum, et omnium fidelium defunctorum, septem denarios. Item, lego Roberto nunc priori ecclesie Sancti Andree de Bromholm quadraginta so lidos; et cuilibet monacho eiusdem ecclesie conuentus de Bromholm sex solidos et octo denarios; et executoribus testamenti Ricardi Causton nu per vicarij ecclesie de Paston viginti solidos; et executoribus testamenti Ade nu per vicarij ecclesie de Bakton sex solidos et octo denarios, ita quod remittant 2 et relaxent in consciencijs suis animabus predictis si que per earum aliquam sibi debita fuerint. Et si hoe remittere et relaxare recusauerint, de predictis legatis nihil habeant, sed in omnibus que sibi per animas predictas vel earum aliquam deberi racionabiliter aut euidenter, in consciencia vel aliter, iuxta discrecionem executorum meorum aut maioris 2. partis eorundem, probauerint aut verificauerint, sibi satisfaciant executores mei. Residuum vero bonorum meorum omnium non legatorum do et lego Agneti vxori mee, Johanni filio meo, Willelmo Bakton, et Johanni Damme de Sustede, quos ordino et constituo executores huius testamenti, mei, vt ipsi inde disponant pro[ut] in iustis consciencijs suis magis viderint Deo placere et animabus predictis prodesse. In cuius rei testimonium presentibus sigillum meum apposui. Datum decimo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo. Huius autem testamenti mei venerabilem in Christo patrem et dominum Dominum Willelmum Lincolniensem episcopum ordino et constituo superuisorem.
. . . Ita quod eadem maneria de Oxenede, Marlyngforde, Stanstede, et Horwelbury, et terre et tenementa que fuerunt Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu alicuius eorum, cum pertinencijs, post mortem prefate Agnetis remaneant heredibus de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exeuntibus. Et predicta manerium de Shipdene et parcella manerij de Latymers ac dicta mesuagia, molendinum, terre et tenementa nuper Clementis Paston et Hugonis atte Fen, seu alicuius eorum, cum pertinencijs, post mortem predicte Agnetis ad predictas personas feoffatas seu feoffandas, heredes et assignatos suos reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et si nullus extiterit heres de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exiens, quod tune post mortem eiusdem Agnetis predictum manerium de Oxenede et dicta terre et tenementa nuper predictorum Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu vnius eorum, cum pertinencijs, ad predictos f eoffatos et heredes suos similiter reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et quod predicta maneria de Marlyngford, Stanstede, et Horwelbury, cum pertinencijs, remaneant rectis heredibus Edmundi Barry, militis, patris predicte Agnetis, imperpetuum.
Item, volo quod predicte persone vt predicitur, feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, paciantur et permittant Robertum Clere, armigerum, Edmundum Clere, armigerum, Johannem Pagraue, armigerum, Wilelmum Bakton de Bakton, et Johannem Damme de Sustede, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Snaylwell et predicta alia terras et tenementa in Snaylwell in toto, per communem estimacionem, ad valenciam quadraginta marcarum per annum occupare et exitus et proficua inde percipere et habere a festo Sancti Michaelis proximo sequenti post mortem meam vsque Edmundus filius meus iam etatis xviij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xxj annorum .... Et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Edmundo filio meo, quousque ad dictam etatem xxj annorum peruenerit, racionabiles victum, vestitum, apparatum, et sustentacionem, iuxta gradus sui exigenciam sic quod non superbiat, inueniant, et eum tarn ad artis dialectice per dimidium annum, iuris ciuilis per vnum annum, ac iuris regni Anglie postea ad sufficienciam, si fieri poterit, sub sana tutela prouidenter ponant et ipsum in eisdem continuare et residere faciant prout eisdem melius visum fuerit ipsum Edmundum in hac parte sapere et intelligere et sibi in futurum prodesse; et domos, muros, edificia, et clausuras in eodem manerio nostro existencia racionabiliter reparari faciant, et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluant, et hoe quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem
Item, volo quod predicte persone prout predicitur, feoffate seu f(eoffande), heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictos Robertum Clere, Edmund um Clere, Johannem Pagraue, Willelmum Bakton, et Johannem Damme, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Beauchamp et Hollewelhalle et dicta alia mesuagia, terras, tenementa, tofta, clausuras, redditus et seruicia quondam Ricardi Doket, Willelmi Thuxton, Johannis Patgris senioris, Johannis Whynne, et Eustachij Rows, seu aliquorum vel alicuius eorum, in Wymondham, Carleton, Bonnewell, Estodenham, et alijs villis adiacentibus, per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ( .. . ) et proficua inde percipere et habere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Willelmus filius meus iam etatis vij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xviij annorum, et quod ijdem Robertus Clere, Edmundus Clere, Johannes Pagraue, Willelmus Bakton, et Johannes Damme, vel dicti duo eorum, quinque marcas annuatim prouenientes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis per octo annos proximo sequentes predictum festum Sancti Michaelis, per discrecionem ( ... ) predicte Agnetis annuatim distribuant inter pauperes et debiles predictos et [pro] missis, oracionibus, et suffragijs celebrandis (. . .) in forma predicta et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Willelmo filio meo vsque ad dictam etatem xviij annorum ( .. . ) statum et sustentacionem iuxta gradus sui exigenciam, sic quod non superbiat, inueniant et tribuant ( ... ) scolas ponant et ibidem ( ... ) residere faciant prout predicitur de predicto filio meo Edmundo, et domos, muros, et clausuras ( .. .) repararent et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde soluant et de residuo dictorum exituum et proficuorum dicto Willelmo filio meo satisfaciant ( ... ) statum de eisde'm manerio, terris, r et 7 tenementis iuxta hanc voluntatem meam ( ... ) heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictam Agnetem (...) West Somerton, Hennesby, Martham, et Wynterton, tarn illa que fuerunt ( ... ) de Reston in toto per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ( ... ) gaudere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Clemens filius meus ( ... ) xviij annorum, et quod eadem Agnes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Clementi Paston ( ... ) xviij annorum, et Elizabeth filie mee quousque maritetur, racionabiles victum, vestitum ( ... ) exigenciam, sic quod non superbiant, et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis nutriatur honeste (. . . ) filiam predictam Elizabeth prout statui suo conuenit, ac inueniat et ponat predictum Clementem ( ... ) scolas grammaticales quam alias et ceteras erudiciones prout predicitur de predictis fratribus suis; et domos, muros, clausuras, et edificia in eisdem mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis existencia racionabiliter reparari faciat et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluat ac annuatim quousque ( ... ) Clemens filius meus ad dictam etatem xviij annorum [peruenerit] distribuat manu propria in elemosinis iuxta discrecionem suam inter magis pauperes et debiles creaturas, in honore quinque principalium vulnerum et passionis Domini N ostri J esu Christi et quinque gaudiorum Beate Marie Virginis et Matris eius, pro animabus predictis, quinque marcas. Et de hoe quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem predicti Clementis filij mei remanserit, satisfaciat eadem Agnes iuxta sanam conscienciam suam eidem Clementi tempore quo ipse iuxta hanc voluntatem meam statum de eisdem manerio, mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis de predictis personis feoffatis siue feoffandis receperit; et quod dicte persone feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, infra xl dies proximo sequentes postquam ipsi post festum Sancti Michaelis proximum post mortem meam per Johannem Paston filium meum primogenitum racionabiliter fuerint requisiti, per facta sua tripartita et indentata dimittent, liberent, et assignent predicto Johanni Paston, iam etatis xx annorum et amplius, predictum manerium de Gresham cum pertinencijs, habendum eidem Johanni ad totam vitam suam; ita quod si contingat predictum Johannem Paston aliquem exitum vel heredem de corpore Margarete nunc vxoris sue procreare, quod tune idem manerium cum pertinencijs post mortem eiusdem Johannis remaneat dicte vxori sue, ten end um sibi ad terminum vite eiusdem vxoris. Et si predictus Johannes Paston null um exitum vel heredem de corpore dicte vxoris sue procreauerit, tune immediate post mortem eiusdem Johannis idem manerium cum pertinencijs heredibus masculis de corpore meo exeuntibus integre remaneat. . . .
Item, volo quod predicta Elizabeth filia mea habeat ducentas libras legalis monete ad maritagium suum si ipsa per auisamentum predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum maritetur, prouiso semper quod eadem Elizabeth pari sexu et etate in bona et competenti consanguinitatis linea maritata sit, et per maritagium illud habeat statum sufficientem et securum in lege sibi et viro suo et heredibus de corporibus suis exeuntibus, si fieri poterit1 seu saltem ad totam vitam suam, in terris et tenementis valoris quadraginta librarum per annum ad minus. Et si eadem Elizabeth antequam maritata fuerit obierit, quod tune dicte pecunie summa pro maritagio eius limitata in solucione debitorum que me debere contingat et in reformacione et satisfactione mesprisionum et extorcionum, si quas fecerim, et pro animabus predictis fideliter distribuatur per discrecionem predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum. In cuius rei testimonium ego prefatus Willelmus Paston presentibus sigillum meuni apposui. Datum vicesimo primo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo.
Probata fuerunt predicta testamentum et vltima voluntas coram nobis Alexandro Prowet, decretorum inceptore, ac reuerendissimi in Christo patris et domini Domini Johannis, permissione diuina Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, commissario generali, &c.. vicesimo quarto die mensis Nouembris anno Domini millesimo ccccmo xliiijt0
In Dei nomine, amen. Ego Willelmus Paston de Paston, sane mentis et memorie, condo testamentum meum in hunc modum. In primis, lego animam meam Omnipotenti Deo, Beate Marie, et omnibus sanctis, et corpus meum sepeliendum ad finem australem altaris in capella Beate Marie in fine orientali ecclesie cathedralis Sancte Trinitatis Norwich. Etsi contingat corpus meum ibidem sepeliri, lego cuilibet monacho sacerdoti ecclesie predicte qui singulis diebus aliqua septimana per septem annos proximo sequentes post mortem meam missam de Spiritu Sancto in capella predicta tempore celebracionis summe misse in eadem ecclesia decantauerit, ad exorandum in eadem missa de Spiritu Sancto et in alijs diuinis per ipsum diebus illis factis pro anima mea et animabus vxoris mee, patrum, matrum, et omnium consanguineorum et benefactorum nostrorum, et omnium quorum debitores sumus, et omnium per nos iniuriam paciencium, et eorum omnium pro quibus Deo e.t deprecandum, et omnium fidelium defunctorum, septem denarios. Item, lego Roberto nunc priori ecclesie Sancti Andree de Bromholm quadraginta so lidos; et cuilibet monacho eiusdem ecclesie conuentus de Bromholm sex solidos et octo denarios; et executoribus testamenti Ricardi Causton nu per vicarij ecclesie de Paston viginti solidos; et executoribus testamenti Ade nu per vicarij ecclesie de Bacton sex solidos et octo denarios, ita quod remittant 2 et relaxent in consciencijs suis animabus predictis si que per earum aliquam sibi debita fuerint. Et si who remittere et relaxare recusauerint, de predictis legatis nihil habeant, sed in omnibus que sibi per animas predictas vel earum aliquam deberi racionabiliter aut euidenter, in consciencia vel aliter, iuxta discrecionem executorum meorum aut maioris 2. partis eorundem, probauerint aut verificauerint, sibi satisfaciant executores mei. Residuum vero bonorum meorum omnium no legatorum do et lego Agneti vxori mee, Johanni filio meo, Willelmo Bakton, et Johanni Damme de Sustead, quos ordino et constituo executores huius testamenti, mei, vt ipsi inde disponant pro[ut] in iustis consciencijs suis magis viderint Deo placere et animabus predictis prodesse. In cuius rei testimonium presentibus sigillum meum apposui. Datum decimo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo. Huius autem testamenti mei venerabilem in Christo patrem et dominum Dominum Willelmum Lincolniensem episcopum ordino et constituo superuisorem.
. . . Ita quod eadem maneria de Oxnead, Marlingford - manor, Stanstede, et Royston - manor, et terre et tenementa que fuerunt Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu alicuius eorum, come pertinencijs, post mortem prefate Agnetis remaneant heredibus de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exeuntibus. Et predicta manerium de Cromer et parcella manerij dePaston Leeches, Latimers and Huntingfields Manor ac dicta mesuagia, molendinum, terre et tenementa nuper Clementis Paston et Hugonis at Fen, seu alicuius eorum, come pertinencijs, post mortem predicte Agnetis ad predictas personas feoffatas seu feoffandas, heredes et assignatos suos reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et si nullus extiterit heres de corpore meo et corpore predicte Agnetis exiens, quod tune post mortem eiusdem Agnetis predictum manerium de Oxenede et dicta terre et tenementa nuper predictorum Roberti Salle, Willelmi Clopton et Francisse, seu vnius eorum, come pertinencijs, ad predictos f eoffatos et heredes suos similiter reuertantur, ad perficiendam inde hanc vltimam voluntatem meam. Et quod predicta maneria de Marlyngford, Stanstede, et Horwelbury, come pertinencijs, remaneant rectis heredibus Edmundi Barry, militis, patris predicte Agnetis, imperpetuum.
Item, volo quod predicte persone vt predicitur, feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, paciantur et permittant Robertum Clear, armigerum, Edmundum Clear, armigerum, Johannem Pagraue, armigerum, Wilelmum Bakton de Bakton, et Johannem Damme de Sustede, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Snailwell et predicta alia terras et tenementa in Snaylwell in toto, per communem estimacionem, ad valenciam quadraginta marcarum per annum occupare et exitus et proficua inde percipere et habere a festo Sancti Michaelis proximo sequenti post mortem meam vsque Edmundus filius meus iam etatis xviij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xxj annorum .... Et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Edmundo filio meo, quousque ad dictam etatem xxj annorum peruenerit, racionabiles victum, vestitum, apparatum, et sustentacionem, iuxta gradus sui exigenciam sic quod no superbiat, inueniant, et eum tarn ad artis dialectice per dimidium annum, iuris ciuilis per vnum annum, ac iuris regni Anglie postea ad sufficienciam, si fieri poterit, sub sana tutela prouidenter ponant et ipsum in eisdem continuare et residere faciant prout eisdem melius visum fuerit ipsum Edmundum in hac parte sapere et intelligere et sibi in futurum prodesse; et domos, muros, edificia, et clausuras in eodem manerio nostro existencia racionabiliter reparari faciant, et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluant, et who quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem
Item, volo quod predicte persone prout predicitur, feoffate seu f(eoffande), heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictos Robertum Clear, Edmund um Clear, Johannem Pagraue, Willelmum Bakton, et Johannem Damme, vel duos eorum per communem assensum eorum quinque, predictum manerium de Beauchamp et Hollewelhalle et dicta alia mesuagia, terras, tenementa, tofta, clausuras, redditus et seruicia quondam Ricardi Doket, Willelmi Thuxton, Johannis Patgris senioris, Johannis Whynne, et Eustachij Rows, seu aliquorum vel alicuius eorum, in Wymondham, Carleton, Bunwell, East Tuddenham, et alijs villis adiacentibus, per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ( .. . ) et proficua inde percipere et habere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Willelmus filius meus iam etatis vij annorum peruenerit ad etatem xviij annorum, et quod ijdem Robertus Clear, Edmundus Clear, Johannes Pagraue, Willelmus Bakton, et Johannes Damme, vel dicti duo eorum, quinque marcas annuatim prouenientes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis per octo annos proximo sequentes predictum festum Sancti Michaelis, per discrecionem ( ... ) predicte Agnetis annuatim distribuant inter pauperes et debiles predictos et [pro] missis, oracionibus, et suffragijs celebrandis (. . .) in forma predicta et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Willelmo filio meo vsque ad dictam etatem xviij annorum ( .. . ) statum et sustentacionem iuxta gradus sui exigenciam, sic quod no superbiat, inueniant et tribuant ( ... ) scolas ponant et ibidem ( ... ) residere faciant prout predicitur de predicto filio meo Edmundo, et domos, muros, et clausuras ( .. .) repararent et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde soluant et de residuo dictorum exituum et proficuorum dicto Willelmo filio meo satisfaciant ( ... ) statum de eisde'm manerio, terris, r et 7 tenementis iuxta hanc voluntatem meam ( ... ) heredes seu assignati sui paciantur et permittant predictam Agnetem (...) West Somerton, Hemsby, Martham, et Winterton, tarn illa que fuerunt ( ... ) de Freston in toto per communem estimacionem ad valenciam xxv marcarum ( ... ) gaudere a predicto festo Sancti Michaelis vsque Clemens filius meus ( ... ) xviij annorum, et quod eadem Agnes de eisdem exitibus et proficuis predicto Clementi Paston ( ... ) xviij annorum, et Elizabeth filie mee quousque maritetur, racionabiles victum, vestitum ( ... ) exigenciam, sic quod no superbiant, et de eisdem exitibus et proficuis nutriatur honeste (. . . ) filiam predictam Elizabeth prout statui suo conuenit, ac inueniat et ponat predictum Clementem ( ... ) scolas grammaticales quam alias et ceteras erudiciones prout predicitur de predictis fratribus suis; et domos, muros, clausuras, et edificia in eisdem mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis existencia racionabiliter reparari faciat et redditus et seruicia et alia onera inde debita soluat ac annuatim quousque ( ... ) Clemens filius meus ad dictam etatem xviij annorum [peruenerit] distribuat manu propria in elemosinis iuxta discrecionem suam inter magis pauperes et debiles creaturas, in honore quinque principalium vulnerum et passionis Domini N ostri J esu Christi et quinque gaudiorum Beate Marie Virginis et Matris eius, pro animabus predictis, quinque marcas. Et de who quod de eisdem exitibus et proficuis ad dictam etatem predicti Clementis filij mei remanserit, satisfaciat eadem Agnes iuxta sanam conscienciam suam eidem Clementi tempore quo ipse iuxta hanc voluntatem meam statum de eisdem manerio, mesuagijs, terris, et tenementis de predictis personis feoffatis siue feoffandis receperit; et quod dicte persone feoffate seu feoffande, heredes seu assignati sui, infra xl dies proximo sequentes postquam ipsi post festum Sancti Michaelis proximum post mortem meam per Johannem Paston filium meum primogenitum racionabiliter fuerint requisiti, per facta sua tripartita et indentata dimittent, liberent, et assignent predicto Johanni Paston, iam etatis xx annorum et amplius, predictum manerium de Gresham come pertinencijs, habendum eidem Johanni ad totam vitam suam; ita quod si contingat predictum Johannem Paston aliquem exitum vel heredem de corpore Margarete nunc vxoris sue procreare, quod tune idem manerium come pertinencijs post mortem eiusdem Johannis remaneat dicte vxori sue, ten end um sibi ad terminum vite eiusdem vxoris. Et si predictus Johannes Paston null um exitum vel heredem de corpore dicte vxoris sue procreauerit, tune immediate post mortem eiusdem Johannis idem manerium come pertinencijs heredibus masculis de corpore meo exeuntibus integre remaneat. . . .
Item, volo quod predicta Elizabeth filia mea habeat ducentas libras legalis monete ad maritagium suum si ipsa per auisamentum predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum maritetur, prouiso semper quod eadem Elizabeth pari sexu et etate in bona et competenti consanguinitatis linea maritata sit, et per maritagium illud habeat statum sufficientem et securum in lege sibi et viro suo et heredibus de corporibus suis exeuntibus, si fieri poterit1 seu saltem ad totam vitam suam, in terris et tenementis valoris quadraginta librarum per annum ad minus. Et si eadem Elizabeth antequam maritata fuerit obierit, quod tune dicte pecunie summa pro maritagio eius limitata in solucione debitorum que me debere contingat et in reformacione et satisfactione mesprisionum et extorcionum, si quas fecerim, et pro animabus predictis fideliter distribuatur per discrecionem predicte Agnetis et executorum meorum. In cuius rei testimonium ego prefatus Willelmus Paston presentibus sigillum meuni apposui. Datum vicesimo primo die Januarij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum vicesimo secundo.
Probata fuerunt predicta testamentum et vltima voluntas coram nobis Alexandro Prowet, decretorum inceptore, ac reuerendissimi in Christo patris et domini Domini Johannis, permissione diuina Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, commissario generali, etc... vicesimo quarto die mensis Nouembris anno Domini millesimo ccccmo xliiijt0
In the name of God, amen. I, William Paston of Paston, of healthy mind and memory, record my testament in this way. First of all, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, Blessed Mary and all the saints, and my body to be buried at the south end of the altar in the chapel of Blessed Mary at the eastern end of the cathedral of Holy Trinity in Norwich. Should it happen that my body should be buried at that place, I bequeath seven pennies to any priestly monk of the aforesaid church who, on any given day of the week for the next seven years following my death, has sung in the same chapel at the time of the celebration of the Holy Spirit the Mass of the Holy Spirit and on other holy days for the soul and souls of my wife, fathers, mothers, and all our blood relatives and benefactors, and all of whom we are debtors, and all suffering injury by us, and all for whom we must seek the forgiveness of God. Also, I bequeath forty shillings to Robert, now previously at the church of St Andrew of Bromholm; and to each monk of the same church of the convent of Bromholm six shillings and eight pence; and to the executors of the testament of Richard Causton, the recent vicar of the church of Paston, twenty shillings; and to the executors of the will of Adam, the recent vicar of the church of Bakton, six shillings and eight pence, so that they release and relax the aforesaid souls in their consciences, if any debts were due to him by any of them. And if they refuse to release and relax them, they shall have nothing of the aforesaid legacies, but my executors shall satisfy themselves in all those matters which are reasonably or plainly owed to them by the aforesaid souls, in conscience or otherwise, according to the discretion of my executors or a majority of them.
But I give and bequeath the remainder of all my goods, not legacies, to my wife Agnes, my son John, William Bakton, and John Damme of Sustede, whom I order and appoint as executors of this testament, so that they may dispose of it in order that they look to please God in just conscience, and to benefit the aforesaid souls. In testimony of this matter I have affixed my seal in their presence. This was done on the tenth of January in the twenty-second year after the conquest of King Henry VI. And I appoint as overseer of this will my venerable father-in-Christ Lord Bishop, Lord William of Lincoln.
. . . And so the same manors of Oxenede, Marlingford, Stansted, and Horwelbury, and the land and tenements which are in the possession of Robert Salle, William and Francisse Clopton, or any of them, along with anything appertaining to them, after the death of the aforesaid Agnes should remain to the heirs of my body and body of the aforesaid Agnes. And the aforesaid manor of Shipden and parcel of the manor of Latimers and the said dwellings, mill, land and tenements of the late Clement Paston and Hugh atte Fen, any of them, along with anything appertaining to them, after the death of the aforementioned Agnes should be returned to the previously mentioned persons and investors, their heirs and co-signatories in order to complete this last will. And if there will be no heir of my body and body at the death of the aforesaid Agnes, because after the death of the same Agnes, let the aforementioned manor of Oxenede, the said land and the recently mentioned tenements of Robert Salle, William and Francisse Clopton, any one of them with the descendants, be similarly returned to their heirs and investors in order to complete this my last wishes. And the aforesaid manors of Marlyngford, Stansted, and Horwelbury, with anything appertaining to them, should remain to the rightful heirs of Edmund Barry, knight, father of the aforesaid Agnes.
Also, I wish that the aforesaid persons, as the aforesaid investors, their heirs or co-signatories, shall suffer and permit Robert Clere, esquire, Edmund Clere, esquire, and John Pagraue, esquire, William Bakton of Bakton, and John Damme of Sustede, or two of these five by their common assent, to occupy the aforesaid manor of Snailwell and the aforesaid other lands and tenements in Snailwell in total, to receive and have the proceeds and profits therefrom by the general estimate, to the value of forty marks a year, from the Festival of St Michael following my death, until my son Edmund, who is now aged 18 years, has come to the age of 20 years ...
and relating to the same issues and profits they should find/provide for my aforesaid son, Edmund, until he reaches the previously stated age of 21 years, completed accounts, clothing, provisions, and support, small relating to his progress so that he might not be proud, and they should place him providentially under sound protection to the skill of debate for half a year, and to civil law for one year and afterwards, if possible, to a sufficiency of the law of the kingdom of England, and cause him to continue and study in these subjects, insofar as it seemed that Edmund might be better by these subjects, to be wise and intelligent in this part, and it would benefit him in the future; and let the houses, walls, buildings, and enclosures, in our same manor, be reasonably repaired in their existence, and let them pay the rents and services and other obligations due therefrom, and whatever remains from the same issues and profits for the said age of the said Edmund, let them make satisfaction with sound consciences to the same Edmund at the time when he himself shall receive and have the estate of the same manor according to my wish.
Also, I wish that the aforesaid persons, as aforesaid, may be investors, and their heirs or co-signatories should agree and permit the previously mentioned Robert Clere , Edmund Clere, John Pagraue, William Bakton and John Damme, or two of them with the common agreement of all five of them the aforesaid manor of Beauchamp and Hollewell Hall and the said other dwellings, lands, tenements, tofts, enclosures, rents and services of the late Richard Doket, William Thuxton, John Patgris the elder, John Whynne, and Eustace Rows, or any others or one of them in Wymondham, Carleton, Bonnewell, Estodenham, and in other adjacent villages, to take the profits and have through an agreed estimation twenty-five marks from the aforesaid Feast of St Michael until William my son aged eight should reach the age of eighteen years, and that the same Robert Clere, Edmund Clere, John Pagraue, William Bakton, and John Damme, or the said two of them, should under the discretion of the aforesaid Agnes distribute annually amongst the poor and weak five marks annually arising from the same issues and profits for the next eight years following the aforesaid feast of St Michael with promises, speeches and support being made known ( . . . )
in the aforesaid form and of the same issues and profits to the aforesaid William my son until the said age of 18 years ( . . . )
They should find and provide status and support, small relating to his progress so that he might not be proud, (…..) they should establish a school and in that place (….) cause to reside, just as said previously of my aforesaid son Edmund, and they should repair (….) the houses, walls, and enclosures ( .. . ) and let them pay the rents and services and other obligations due therefrom, let them be enough from the residue of the said issues and profits for my said son William ( ... ) the estate of the same manor, lands, and tenements in accordance with this will (...) let their heirs or co-signatories pay and permit the aforesaid Agnes (...) West Somerton Hennesby, Martham, and Winterton, both those that were (...) of Reston in total by the agreed estimate of the value of 25 marks (...) to rejoice from the aforesaid feast of St Michael until my son Clemens (…) eighteen years and that same Agnes of the same issues and profits to the aforesaid Clemens Paston (...) 18 years old
and Elizabeth my daughter until she be married, reasonable food and clothing (...) that the aforesaid daughter Elizabeth should be nourished with issues and profits honourably ( . . . ) the aforesaid daughter Elizabeth as is fitting to her status, and she may find and place the aforesaid Clemens (...) a grammar school as well as other other learnings as is said above about her brothers; and may cause houses, walls, enclosures, and buildings in the same dwellings, lands, and existing tenements to be reasonably repaired, and may render rents and services and other obligations from them due annually until (...) Clemens my son coming to the said age of 18 years should distribute with his own hand in alms according to his discretion among the more poor and weak creatures for the aforesaid souls, five marks, in honour of the five principal wounds also of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the five joys of the Blessed Virgin And His Mother Mary.
And concerning what has remained from the same issues and profits at the said age of the aforesaid Clemens, let Agnes pay the same things, according to her sound conscience, to the same Clemens at the time when he, according to this my will, receives status about the same things from the manor, dwellings, lands, and tenements of the aforesaid persons or the investors; and that the said investors, their heirs or their co-signatories, shall have been reasonably requested within 40 days after the next feast of St. Michael, after my death, by John Paston, my eldest son, that they should deliver and release him from his threefold deeds and indenture, and they should assign to the aforesaid John Paston, now aged 20 years and more, to have the aforesaid manor of Gresham with everything belonging to it to the same John for his whole life; so that if it should happen that the aforesaid John Paston procreates some issue or heir of the body of Margaret, now his wife, that then the same manor with everything belonging to it should remain after the death of the same John to his wife, being held by her for the term of the life of the same wife. And if the aforesaid John Paston begets no issue or heir from the body of his said wife, then immediately after the death of the same John the same manor with everything belonging to it should return in its entirety to the male heirs issuing from my body . . .
Also, I wish that my aforesaid daughter Elizabeth should have two hundred pounds of legal money for her marriage if she is married with the advice of the aforesaid Agnes and my executors, providing always that the same Elizabeth is married to one of a right sex and equal age in a good and competent blood line, and by that marriage she may have a sufficient and secure state in law for herself and her husband and heirs issuing from their bodies, if possible or at least for her entire life, in lands and tenements of the value of at least forty pounds per annum. And if the same Elizabeth dies before she is married, then the said sum of money set aside for her marriage should be faithfully distributed to the aforesaid souls for the payment of the debts that I happen to owe, and the correction and making good of deliberate illegal acts and extortions, if I have done any, by the discretion of the aforesaid Agnes and my executors. On to the testimony of this matter I, the aforesaid William Paston, have affixed my seal being present. Performed on the twenty-first day of January in the twenty-second year of the reign of King Henry VI after his conquest.
The aforesaid will and final wish have been approved in our presence, by Alexander Prowet, the originator of decrees, and the most reverend father in Christ, the lord John, by divine permission the archbishop of Canterbury, commissary general, &c. . on the twenty-fourth day of November in the year of our Lord 1444 ....
