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Plumpton Correspondence is in Victorian Books.
The term for redeeming of this bond having elapsed, on the 12th of July, 1461, Sir William Plumpton surrendered himself a prisoner at the Tower of London; and, having been sworn according to custom, was admitted by Sir William Bowischer [Bourchier,] kt. lieutenant of the Tower, to all the liberties and privileges of the place.8 He obtained letters of general pardon, 5 Feb. 1 Edw. IV. 1461-2t, and was subsequently, 10 Sept. 2 Edw. IV. 1462, released from all claim by reason of his bondu. But notwithstanding Sir William Plumpton had afresh letters of pardon dated 30 Aug. 3 Edw. IV. 1463,x he was, it seems, restricted from returning home into the North; and was at one time in jeopardy of his life, by reason of the denunciation of one David Routh, son of late Thomas Routh, of Westminster, who laid these overt acts of treason to his charge:
"First, Sir William Plompton, with other persons, within the place of Honslough, the second and third years of the reigne of our soveraigne and liege lord, had receyved, red, and understaud false, damnable, diffamatory, and slaunderous writing, traiterously by pen and other forged and ymagined against the honor and welfare of our said soveraigne, and the same sent to other suspicious persons to corage and comfort them by the same.
"Also he hath received in the said place divers persons coming out of Scotland fro the Kings adversaries, and secretly cherished them, succored, forbored, and their secrets concealed.
Also he hath sent messengers into his countrey, which there receyved tidings of his brother men there out of Scotland, fro the Kings adversaries, by his brother assent and his.
"Item. When any turble or enterprise was leke to fall hurt or scaythe to the Kings people, the said Sir William Plumpton, with oder suspected, rejoyced, and were glad in chere and countenance."
Note t. Edwardus, &c. Omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis, &c. Sciatis quod de gratia nostro speciali et ex certa scientia et mero motu nostris perdonavimus, remisimus, et relaxavimus Will'o Plompton militi, alias dicto Will'o Plumpton militi, alias d'co Will'o Plumton militi, alias d'co Will'o Plompton de Plompton in Com. Ebor. militi, alias d'co Will'o Plumpton de Plumpton in com. Ebor. militi, alias d'co Will'o Plompton nuper de Kenalton in com. Nottingham, alias d'co Will'o Plompton nuper de Knaresburgh in com Ebor. militi, alias d'co Will'o Plompton nuper Vicecomiti Com. Ebor. militi, alias d'co Will'o Plompton nuper Vicecomiti Com. Nottingham et Derb. Chivaler, seu quocu'que alio nomine censeatur, omnimodas transgressiones, offensas, &c. (Cartul No. 551.)
Note u. Edwardus &c. Omnibus &c. salutem. Sciatis q'd cum tercio decimo die Maii, Anno regni n'ri primo, Will's Plumpton de Plumpton in com. Ebor. miles venerit coram dilecto et fideli n'ro Roberti Danby Capitali Justiciario n'ro de banco apud Civitatem Ebor. et recognoverit se debere nobis duo millia librarum sterlingorum, solvend' nobis in festo Pentecost' ex tune proximo future, sub certa condico'e super eadem recognico'e tune et ibidem specificat', prout &c. Quibusdam tamen certis consideraco'ibus nos moventibus, &c. remisimus &c. p'fato Will'o omnes et omnimodas acc'ones &c. r'one sive occ'one recognico'is vel condico'is supradictarum &c. In cuius rei &c. Testo meipso apud Westm' x° die Septembr' anno regui n'ri secundo. Bagott. Per breve de private sigillo et de data predicto, aucthoritate parliament!. (L.S.) (Cartul. No. 552.)
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Upon these charges Sir William Plumpton was tried before the Earl of Worcester, Lord Tiptoft and of Powis, Great Constable of England, and a jury of twenty-four, at Hounslow, shortly before Christmas. Having been acquitted, he obtained a warrant from the Constable to be rid of all further molestation on that behalf, dated 20 Jan. 3 Edw. IV. 1463-4y, as also the following brief from the King.
" Edward, by the grace of God, King of England and of France and lord of Ireland, To all maiors, sherifs, eschetors, baliffs, constables, and other our ministers whatsoever they be, and to all other our true liege people, greeting. We lett you witt,that our welbeloved William Plompton Kt. hath truly, sufficiently, and clearly declared himself of all manner matters that have been said and surmised against him, and so we hold him thereof for fully excused and declared by these our present letters. And we take him, hold, and repute him as our true and faithfull leigman. Wherefore we will and charge you, all and every one of you as much as to him belongeth, that from henceforth ye, nor any of you, neither vex, moleste, greive, trouble, nor him nor any of his, in body nor in goods, otherwise then our lawes will; nor that ye give or shew unto him, or any of his, any ungodly language or countenance, but that ye take him and suffer him to abide and go att his pleasure and ease, there as him shall best like, as other our true leiges do; not breaking this our comaundement, as ye will eschew our great displeasure, and upon payne of punishment by our laws. Yeven under our signett att, &c.z"
Note y. Cartul. No. 560
Note z. Cartul. No. 561.
Being now reputed loyal, Sir William Plumpton was restored to his offices of Constable of the Castle, and Master Forester of the Forest of Knaresborough, and to the Stewardship of the Lordship of Spofford, of which he had had grants for life in the previous reign. He also about this time directed his attention to a lucrative disposal of the infant daughters of his deceased son, his own heirs apparent, in marriage; for I find that by virtue of an indenture dated 26th Nov. 3 Edw. IV. 1463, the governance and marriage of Margaret, then about four years old, " cousin and one of the heirs apparent of the said Sir William Plompton, that is to say, one of the daughters of William Plompton, esq. son of the said Sir William," was granted to Brian Roucliffe of Colthorp, com. Ebor. gent, third baron of the King's Exchequer, to the intent ee that John, son and heire apparant of the said Brian, shall by the grace of God take into wife the said Margret, the marriage of them to be done att convenient and most spedy time att the costs of the said Brian/' On the part of Sir William Plump ton, it was covenanted to make to them, and the lawful heirs of their two bodies, an estate out of the manor of Nesfield before the ensuing feast of Pasche; nevertheless, so as he might retain the whole profits for the first five years, and a rent of x marks by year for the five years next following. For this marriage Brian Roucliffe agreed to give, over what was already paid, cccc marks; under a proviso, however, for the repayment of Ili, in case the said John deceased within the next ten yearsa.
Note a. Cartul. No. 558.