A Medieval Family by Frances Gies

Author:Frances Gies
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2018-07-10T16:00:00+00:00

cunning in war, and in feats of arms [who] can shoot both guns and crossbows well, and mend and string them, and devise bulwarks or anything to strengthen the place; and they will, when needed, keep watch and ward. They are wise and sensible men, except one of them, who is bald, and called William Penny, who is as good a man as can be found on earth, except that he is, I understand, a little inclined to be cup-shotten [drunk], but yet is no brawler, but full of courtesy. The other three are Peryn Sale, John Chapman, and Robert Jackson. As yet they have no harness [armor], but when it comes it shall be sent to you, and meanwhile I pray you and Daubeney to purvey them some. They also need a couple of beds, which I pray you by the help of my mother to purvey for them till I come home to you. You will find them gentlemanly, comfortable fellows, and they will abide by their agreement; and . . . I sent you these men because men of the country thereabouts would fear the loss of their goods.23

Sir John spoke of coming home soon, but he remained at court, leaving Margaret and John III to deal with the threatening situation in Norfolk. In March, Margaret reported that Yelverton, his son, and followers armed with spears and lances “like men of war” had been at the manor of Guton to take “distresses.” As earlier at Cotton, Drayton, and Hellesdon, they had seized plow animals and made it impossible for the tenants to do their spring plowing. Unless something were done within the week “so that they may peaceably harrow their lands without assault or distress by Yelverton or his men . . . their tilth in the fields will be lost for the year and they will be undone.” Furthermore, Sir John would lose his rents for the year, “for they may not pay you unless they can work their lands; they no sooner set a plow out at their gates than there is a fellowship [gang] ready to take it.” He would also “lose the tenants’ hearts and . . . be greatly hurt; for it is a great pity to hear the sorrowful and piteous complaints of the poor tenants that come to me for comfort and succor sometimes six or seven together.”

John’s will was still not probated, and Margaret urged Sir John to broach the matter with the archbishop of Canterbury “while he lives, for he is an old man,” and if he died, his successor might be “a needy man” who would be more difficult—that is, more expensive—to deal with. She drove the point home: Sir John should “act hastily and wisely . . . and do not make delays as you did when my lord of York [George Neville] was chancellor, for if you had labored during his time as you have since, you would have been through with your matters . .

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