Fastolf's Claims Against the Crown

Add. 34888, ff. 123-124

1455

Gairdner, Vol III, item 309; Fenn, Vol III, Henry VI item 66

NUMBER LXVI.

         bill? De debit?s Reg’s in p^rtibz
          Fr’ncie Johi Fastolf militi
          debit’

                    THESE ben the Iniuries Losses and Da-
                                       mages that the seyd Fastolf hath had as
                                  well withynne this Royaume of England as in
                                  othir parties in maner and fourme as it ensewith.

First It is to consider how that the seyd Fas-
tolf hath ben vexed and troubled seth he came
last into this lande by the myght and power of
the Duc of ¹ Suffolk and by the labour of his
counseill and seruaunts in diuers Wyses as in
grete oppressions greuous and outrageous amer-
ciemants and manye grete horrible extorcions
as it may appere more pleynly by a rolle of
Articles ther’uppon made the damages of which
extenden to the somme of

V m¹ m’rc

Item the seyd Fastolf hath be gretely damaged
and hurt by the myght and power of the seyd
Duc of Suffolk and his Counseill in Disseising
and taking awey a maner of the seyd Fastolf
called Dedh’m in the Counte of Essex to the
value of C m’rks of yerly Rent which was hal-

V m’rc

den from the seyd Fastolf by the terme of iij yere day and more to his grete hurt with CC marks in costs exspended in Recouv^re of the same the some in all
Item there ys cast in to the kyngs hands by untrew forged offices and inquisicions supposed to be founde by dyuers Eschetours in the Coun- tees of Norff? and Suffolk iij certeyn maners of the seyd Fastolf to the value of C. m?rks yeer- ly which seyd offices and inquisicions were ne- ver dewly founde. but forged by untrue Imagi- nacons and meenys of certeyn persones hys eville Will?rs as it hath be confessed by thos that were appoynted and named to be uppon the enquestys And by the maliciouse labour of his seyd evylle will?rs and the seyd maners have ben troubled and put in plee this iiij yere day and more to the damage and costs of the seyd Fastolf the sōme	V^e m’rc
Item the seyd Fastolf hauying the yeft of the Baronyes and Lordshipp of 2 Sillie Guill’m and Lasuze in the Countee of Mayn to hym and to his assignes for ever the which weren goten by the seyd Fastolf and no charge to the King For the value and Denombrement of iiij m1 3 saluz of yerly Rent he was commaunded by the
King’s l’res to delive^r upp the sayd Baronyes and lordshipps to the Kyngs Commissioners p’myssyng hym by the kyngs commaundement to have be Recompensed therefor as the seyd Fastolf hath to shewe and he not Recompensed nor Rewarded no thing for the levyng of his seyd Baronyes and lordship to the damag’s of the seyd Fastolf of the somme of	m^l m^l v^e m’rc
Item Wher as the seyd Fastolf had a Prisonner of his owen taking called Guill’m ⁴ Remond which was Raunsonned and agreed to pay hym for his Raunson with the m’rks the somme of xxxij m¹ saluz the prisonne^r withoute knowe- lege or licence of the seyd Fastolf was take awey from hym by the Duc of Bedford then beyng the Kyngs Regent of Fraunce And with the seyd Prisonner he caused the Towne of Com- pyn than leyng in the Frensh Partye ys gou- uernaunce for to be yeldyn to the Kyng and to his seyd Regent in his name And the seyd Fas- tolf after long Pursewts made to the Kyng and his Conseill was Recompensed but to the value of m¹ vj^c saluz in lands in Normandye when they fortuned to falle into the Kyngs hands which lands he hath also lost And also the seyd Fastolf hath lost the Residue of the seyd Raun- son besyde the seyd lands to the somme of	m^l. m^l. m^l. m^l. m’re
Item the seyd Fastolf ys yhyt owyng for his porcion and part for the Recompens and Re- ward that shuld grow and be dewe to hym for the takyng of Iohn callyng hym Duc of Alaun- con at the Batayle of ⁵ Vernell Which that payd for hys Raunson xl m¹ m’rks Which Re- warde besyde the lord Wyllughbye ys part shuld extend to the somme of	m^l.m^l.m^l.m^l.m’re
Item ys dewe to the seyd Fastolf by the exe- cucion of the last wylle and testamēt of John Duc of ⁶ Bedford whos foule god assoyle for Prestys and othir Chargs for saufgarde and kep- ing of certeyn forteresses Castellys and Townes and for othir costs prests and chargs by hym born in his service As it may appiere in certeyn Articles Writen in a Rolle partic’lerly of the same the somme of	iiij^ml D^e iiij^xx xix. m’rc v^s. vj^d.
S’m Tol xxjml. iiijxx xix marc vs vjd.
Item seth the 7 last Comyng over of the seyd Fastolf into this Royaume as by the space of xv yere and more he hath born grete costs chargs and expenss at alle tymes intending uppon the kyngs highnesse and the lordes of his Coun- seille as he hath had in Commaundemēt And

was his part to doo For the which and for all
the seruice that he hath doo to the Right noble
Prince Kyng Herry the iiij^the Ayle to our Sou-
u^ragn lord that now ys And to the most victori-
ous prince and kyng his fader whos soulys god
assoyle And also to our seyd Souuereyn lord he
hath had nouther fee wagys Reward ne Recom-
pense in this his Royaume of England but hath
born it of hys own propre godys at all tymys to
the Kyngs hono^r and prouffit as to his power
Which ys to hym Right greuouse and chargeable
trusting to have be considered and Rewarded as
othir men of suche Deseruyng have be in the
tymes of the Right noble progenitours of our
seyd souu^reyn lords late Kyngs of this seyd
Reaume.

¹ Many of the Letters in this Collection mention the disputes between the Duke of
Suffolk and Sir John Fastolf concerning different Manors and Estates.

² Sir John took the Castle of Sillie le Guillem in 1425, and from which he was dig-
nified with the title of Baron.

³ The Salute was a gold coin of Henry VI. current in France for 1l. 5s. English.

⁴ In 1423 he took the Castle of Pacy, the Governor whereof was Guilliaume Rey-
mond.

⁵ This battle was fought in 1424.

⁶ See Letter XXVIII. vol. i. p. 120.

⁷ Sir John, finally left France in 1440, this Account therefore was drawn up in 1455.
33 H. VI.

NUMBER LXVI.

Billa de debitis Regis in partibus Franciæ Johanni Fastolf militi
debitis.

THESE be the Injuries, Losses, and Damages that the said
Fastolf hath had, as well within the Realm of England
as in other parts in manner and form as it ensueth,

First, it is to consider how that the said Fas-
tolf hath been vexed and troubled since he came
last into this land by the might and power of
the Duke of ¹ Suffolk, and by the labour of
his counsel and servants in divers wise, as in
great oppressions, grievous and outrageous
amercements, and many great horrible extor-
tions, as it may appear more plainly by a roll
of Articles thereupon made, the damages of
which extend to the sum of 5000 marks. =

L. s. d.

3333 6 8

Item, the said Fastolf hath been greatly da-
maged and hurt by the might and power of
the said Duke of Suffolk and his counsel, in
disseising and taking away a manor of the said
Fastolf’s, called Dedham, in the County of Essex,
to the value of 100 marks (66l. 13s. 4d.) of year-
ly rent, which was holden from the said Fas-

333 6 8

tolf by the term of three year day and more,
to his great hurt, with 200 marks (133l. 6s.
8d.) in costs expended in recovery of the same,
the sum in all 500 marks=

£ s. d.

Item, there is cast into the King?s hands by
untrue forged offices and inquisitions, supposed
to be found by divers Escheators in the Coun-
ties of Norfolk and Suffolk, three certain Ma-
nors of the said Fastolf, to the value of 100
Marks (66l. 13s. 4d.) yearly, which said of-
fices and inquisitions were never duly found, but
forged by untrue imaginations, and means of
certain persons his evil willers, as it hath been
confessed by those that were appointed and nam-
ed to be upon the inquests. And by the malici-
ous labour of his said evil willers, the said ma-
nors have been troubled and put in plea this
four year day and more, to the damage and
costs of the said Fastolf, the sum of 500 marks=

333 6 8

Item, the said Fastolf having the gift of the
Baronies and Lordship of ² Sillie Guillem and
Lasuze, in the County of Mayne, to him and
to his assigns for ever, the which were gotten
by the said Fastolf, and no charge to the King,
for the value and denomberment (number) of
4000 ³ Saluts of yearly rent, he was command-

ed by the King?s Letters to deliver up the said
Baronies and Lordship to the King?s Commis-
sioners, promising him, by the King?s com-
mandment to be recompensed therefore, as the
said Fastolf hath to shew, and he not recom-
pensed nor rewarded nothing for the leaving of
his said Baronies and Lordship, to the damages
of the said Fastolf of the sum of 2500 marks =

?
1666

s.
13

d.
4

Item, Whereas the said Fastolf had a Prisoner
of his own taking, called Guill?m ⁴ Remond,
which was ransomed, and agreed to pay him
for his ransom with the marks the sum of 3200
Saluts, the Prisoner, without knowledge or license
of the said Fastolf, was taken away from him
by the Duke of Bedford, then being the King?s
Regent of France, and with the said Prisoner
he caused the town of Compeyn, then lying in
the French party?s governance, for to be yield-
ed to the King, and to his said Regent in his
name; and the said Fastolf, after long pursuits
made to the King and his Council, was recom-
pensed but to the value of 1600 Saluts in lands
in Normandy, when they fortuned to fall into
the King?s hands, which lands he hath also lost;
and also the said Fastolf hath lost the residue of
the said ransom, besides the said lands, to the
sum of 4000 marks =

2666

13

4

Item, the said Fastolf is yet owing for his
portion and part for the recompence and reward
that should grow and be due to him for the tak-
ing of John, calling himself Duke of Alanson,
at the battle of ⁵ Verneuil, which that paid for
his ransom 40000 marks (26666l. 13s. 4d.),
which reward, beside the Lord Willoughby’s
part, should extend to the sum of 4000 marks=

£.

2666

s

13

d.

4

Item, is due to the said Fastolf, by the execu-
tion of the Last Will and Testament of John
Duke of ⁶ Bedford, whose soul God assoil! for
Prests and other Charges for safeguard and keep-
ing of certain Fortresses, Castles, and Towns,
and for other costs, prests, and charges by him
borne in his service, as it may appear in certain
Articles written in a roll particularly of the same,
the sum of 4599 marks. 5s. 6d.=

?????????????

3066

5

6

Sum total 21099 marks. 5 sh. 6 pence.=

14066

5

6

Item, Since the last ⁷ coming over of the said
Fastolf into this realm, as by the space of 15
years and more, he hath borne great costs, charges,
and expences, at all times attending upon the
King’s Highness, and the Lords of his Council,
as he hath had in commandment, and was his

part to do, for the which, and for all the service
that he hath done to the right noble Prince
King Harry the IV. Ayeul (grandfather) to our
Sovereign Lord that now is, and to the most
victorious Prince and King his father, whose
fouls God assoil, and also to our said Sovereign
Lord, he hath had neither fee, wages, reward,
nor recompence in this his realm of England,
but hath borne it of his own proper goods at all
times to the King’s honour and profit, as to his
power, which is to him right grievous and
chargeable, trusting to have been considered and
rewarded as other men of such deserving have
been in the times of the right noble Progenitors
of our said Sovereign Lords late Kings of this
said Realm.

1455. 33 H. VI.

¹ Many of the Letters in this Collection mention the disputes between the Duke of
Suffolk and Sir John Fastolf concerning different Manors and Estates.

² Sir John took the Castle of Sillie le Guillem in 1425, and from which he was dig-
nified with the title of Baron.

³ The Salute was a gold coin of Henry VI. current in France for 1l. 5s. English.

⁴ In 1423 he took the Castle of Pacy, the Governor whereof was Guilliaume Rey-
mond.

⁵ This battle was fought in 1424.

⁶ See Letter XXVIII. vol. i. p. 120.

⁷ Sir John, finally left France in 1440, this Account therefore was drawn up in 1455.
33 H. VI.

309

FASTOLF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE CROWN.—I.¹

Billa de debitis Regis in partibus Franciæ Johanni Fastolf
militi debitis.

   THESE ben the injuries, losses, and damages that the
     seyd Fastolf hath had, as well withynne this royaume
     of England as in othir parties in maner and fourme as
it ensewith.

First, it is to consider how
that the seyd Fastolf hath ben

vexed and troubled seth he
came last into this lande by the
myght and power of the Duc of
Suffolk, and by the labour of
his counseill and servaunts in
divers wyses, as in grete oppres-
sions, grevous and outrageous
amerciemants and manye grete
horrible extorcions, as it may
appere more pleynly by a rolle
of articles thereuppon made, the
damages of which entenden to
the somme of V. m^l. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf hath
be gretely damaged and hurt
by the myght and power of the
seyd Duc of Suffolk and his
counseill, in disseising and tak-
ing awey a maner of the seyd
Fastolf, called Dedham, in the
counte of Essex, to the value
of C. marks of yerly rent which
was halden from the seyd Fastolf
by the terme of iij. yere day
and more, to his grete hurt,
with CC. marks in costs ex-
spended in recouvere of the
same, the some in all, V^c. marc.

Item, there ys cast in to the
Kyngs hands by untrew forged
offices and inquisicions, sup-
posed to be founde by dyvers
eschetours in the countees of
Norffolk and Suffolk, iij. cer-
teyn maners of the seyd Fastolf,
to the value of C. marks yeerly,
which seyd offices and inquisi-
cions were never dewly founde,

but forged by untrue imagina-
cions and meenys of certeyn
persones hys eville willers, as it
hath be confessed by thos that
were appoynted and named to
be uppon the enquestys; and
by the maliciouse labour of his
seyd evylle willers, the seyd
maners have ben troubled and
put in plee this iiij. yere day
and more, to the damage and
costs of the seyd Fastolf, the
somme V^c. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf hauy-
ing the yeft of the Baronyes and
Lordshipp of Sillie Guillem¹ and
Lasuze, in the countee of Mayn,
to hym and to his assignes for
ever, the which weren goten by
the seyd Fastolf, and no charge
to the King, for the value and
denombrement [number] of iiij.
m¹. saluz² of yerly rent, he was
commaunded by the Kinges
lettres to deliver upp the sayd
baronyes and lordshipps to the
Kyngs commissioners, promyss-
yng hym, by the Kyngs com-
maundement to have be recom-
pensed therefor, as the seyd
Fastolf hath to shewe, and he
not recompensed nor rewarded
no thing for the levyng of his
seyd baronyes and lordship, to

the damages of the seyd Fastolf
of the somme of m^l. m^l. v.^c [2,500] marc.

Item, wher as the seyd Fas-
tolf had a prisonner of his owen
taking, called Guill’m Remond,¹
which was raunsonned, and
agreed to pay hym for his
raunson with the marks the
somme of xxxij. m^l. saluz, the
prisonner, withoute knowelege
or licence of the seyd Fastolf,
was take awey from hym by the
Duc of Bedford, then beyng the
Kyngs Regent of Fraunce; and
with the seyd prisonner he
caused the towne of Compyn,
than leyng in the Frensh partye
ys gouvernaunce, for to be
yeldyn to the Kyng, and to his
seyd Regent in his name; and
the seyd Fastolf, after long
pursewts made to the Kyng and
his conseill, was recompensed
but to the value of m^l. vj^c.
saluz in lands in Normandye,
when they fortuned to falle
into the Kyngs hands, which
lands he hath also lost. And
also the seyd Fastolf hath lost
the residue of the seyd raunson,
besyde the seyd lands, to the
somme of m^l. m^l. m^l. m^l. marc.

Item, the seyd Fastolf ys
yhyt owyng for his porcion
and part for the recompens
and reward that shuld grow

and be dewe to hym for the
takyng of John, callyng hym
Duc of Alauncon, at the batayle
of Vernell,¹ which that payd
for hys raunson xl. m^l. marks,
which rewarde, besyde the Lord
Wyllughbye ys part, shuld ex-
tend to the somme of m^l. m^l. m^l. m^l. marc.

Item, ys dewe to the seyd
Fastolf, by the execucion of
the last wylle and testament of
John, Duc of Bedford, whos
soule God assoyle, for prestys
and othir charges for saufgarde
and keping of certeyn forter-
esses, castellys, and townes,
and for othir costs, prests, and
charges by hym born in his
service, as it may appiere in
certeyn articles writen in a
rolle partic’lerly of the same,
the somme of iiij^ml. D^c. iiij^xx. xix.

[4,599] marc, vs. 6d.

Summa totalis xxj^ml. iiij^xxxix. [21,099] marc, vs. 6d.

Item, seth the last comyng over of the seyd Fastolf into
this royaume, as by the space of xv. yere and more, he hath
born grete costs, charges, and expenss, at alle tymes intending
uppon the Kyngs highnesse and the Lordes of his counseille,
as he hath had in commaundement, and was his part to doo;
for the which and for all the service that he hath doo to the
right noble Prince Kyng Herry the iiij^the, ayle [grandfather] to
our Souvragn Lord that now ys, and to the most victorious
Prince and Kyng, his fader, whos soulys God assoyle, and
also to our seyd Souvereyn Lord, he hath had, nouther fee,
wagys, reward, ne recompense in this his royaume of England,
but hath born it of hys own propre godys, at all tymys to the
Kyngs honour and prouffit as to his power, which ys to hym

right grevouse and chargeable, trusting to have be considered
and rewarded as othir men of suche deservyng have be in the
tymes of the right noble progenitours of our seyd Souvreyn
Lords, late Kyngs of this seyd reaume.

There is a corrected draft of the above paper, in William Worcester’s hand-
writing, among the Paston MSS. in the British Museum, on the back of which are
the following additional memoranda:—

Thees been the prestys and sommes of money that the [sic] Sir John
Fastolf, knyght, hath lent to oure seid Soverayn Lorde that now is, at his
commaundement in his grete necesitees, at divers tymes with in this his reaume
of England:—

Item, the seid Fastolf lent to oure
seid Soverayn Lorde, in the moneth of
September, the xv. yer of his seid regne,
as it appereth at the seid recept of West-
minster, the somme of m^l li.

It is also to be remembred that the seid
Fastolf hath lent to oure seid Soverayn
Lord, in the moneth of Feverer, the seid
xv. yer of his noble regne, as it appereth
at the Kynges receyt of Westminster, the
somme of m¹ marc.

Item, the seid Fastolf lent to our seid
Soverayn Lorde, for the viage of Sir
Thomas Kiriel, and of his retinue in to
the Duchie of Normandye, in the xxviij.
yer of his noble regne the somme of CC.
marc. Also afore that tyme in the Kynges
grete necessite ageyn the coronacion of the
Quene, at his forseid commaundement, the
somme of Cli. Somme of bothe iij^c. xxxiijli. vjs. viijd.^l

Item, the seyd Fastolf lent to the
voyage that Thomas Danyell made in to
Breteyn, as it is notorily knowen, of
which he ys not yhyt payd, the somme
of Cli.

Item, the seyd Fastolf hath born grete
charge and cost of a lone made for the
spede and help of a voyage whych the
Erle of Shrewysbury now last made in
to the Kynges Duchee of Gyen, ———²

¹ [From Fenn, iii. 260.] The date of this paper is determined by the last para-
graph, showing that it was composed fifteen years after Sir John finally left France in
1440.

¹ Sir John took the castle of Sillie le Guillem in 1425, and from which he was
dignified with the title of baron.—F.

² The salute was a gold coin of Henry VI. current in France for £1, 5s.
English.—F.

¹ In 1423 he took the castle of Pacy, the governor whereof was Guillaume
Reymond.—F.

¹ This battle was fought in 1424.—F.

¹ So in MS. The total should be £100 less. ² A blank.

1455