Margaret Paston was the
daughter of a wealthy farmer from Mautby in Norfolk. When her father
died Margaret inherited his land. In about 1440 Margaret married John
Paston, who was also a large landowner in Norfolk. John Paston was
a lawyer and spent a lot of time away on business, so she had the
responsibility of looking after the family estates. When they were
separated Margaret kept in contact with John by letter. Over a hundred
of these letters have survived and
their contents provide an interesting insight into life in the 15th
century. Margaret Paston died in 1484.
The
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