THE Great and Ancient CHARTER OF THE Cinque-Ports OF Our LORD the KING And of The Members of the same LONDON Printed by T. N. for the Mayor and Jurats of Hasting 1682. The Great and Ancient CHARTER OF THE Cinque-Ports CHARLES the Second Char. 2. By the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these Our present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd over the Letters-Patents of Our famous Predecessor the Lady Elizabeth late Queen of England Eliz. about Confirmation according to these words viz. Elizabeth by the Grace of God of England France and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd over the Letters-Patents of the Lady Mary Mar. late Queen of England Our dearly beloved Sister about Confirmation made according to these words Mary by the Grace of God of England France and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith and upon Earth of the Church of England and Ireland Supream Head To all those to whom our present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Letters-Patents of Edward VI. Lord Edw. 6. late King of England Our Brother about Confirmation made according to these words Edward VI. by the Grace of God of England France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and upon Earth of the Church of England and Ireland Supream Head To all those to whom Our present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Letters-Patents of Henry VIII Lord Hen. 8. late King of England Our moâ— dear Father about Confirmation made according to these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all those to whom these present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Letters-Patents of Henry Lord Hen. 7. late King of England Our Father about Confirmation made according to these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter of Edward IV. Lord late King of England made since the Conquest according to these words Edward Edw. 4â— by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To the Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Chief Officers and to all Bailiffs and faithful Subjects Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter of Confirmation of Richard II. Lord late King of England since the Conquest made according to these words Richard Rich. 2. by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all those to whom Our present Letters shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter of Confirmation of Edward Lord late King of England Our Grandfather according to these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Edw. 3. Lord of Ireland and Aquitain To the Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Head-Officers and to all Bailiffs and faithful Subjects Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter of Edward Lord late King of England Our Father according to these words Edward Edw. 2. by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Head-Officers and to all Bailiffs and faithful Subjects Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter which Edward Lord late King of England Our Father granted to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports according to these words Edward Edw. 1. by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To the Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Head-Officers and to all Bailiffs and faithful Subjects Greeting Know ye that for the faithful Service which Our Barons of the Cinque-Ports have hitherto paid to Our Predecessors the Kings of England and to Us lately in Our Army in Wales and for their good Service to be continued for the future faithfully to Us and to Our Heirs the Kings of England We have granted and confirmed by this Our Charter for Us and Our Heirs to the same Our Barons and their Heirs all their Liberties and Acquitances The Liberties and Acquitances viz. so that they may be free from all Toll and from all Custom viz. from all Lastage Tallage Passage Carriage Riverage Bridg-toll and all Wreck and from all Sale as their Achat and Reachat through Our whole Land and Dominion with Soc and Sac Thol and Them and that they may have Infangtheff and be Wreckfree and Wittfree Lastage-free and * Lovecopefree and that they may have Den and Strond at Great Yarmouth according to what is contained in an Ordinance by Us thereupon made and for ever to be observed and also that they be quit from Customs to be done to Shires and Hundreds so that if any one brings an Action against them they shall not Answer nor Defend themselves otherwise than they used to do in the time of Henry Lord Our Great Grandfather as also that they may have whatever they find by Sea and Land and that they be quit as to all their Goods and Merchandising as Our Free-men and that they have their due Respects at Our Court and their Liberties through Our Dominions wheresoever they shall come and that in all their Lands which they were possessed of in the time of the Lord Henry Our Father viz. in the Forty fourth year of his Reign they be quit for ever from the General Summons before Our Itinerate Justices at what Pleas soever in whatsoever Counties their said Lands be as also they shall not be bound to appear before Our Justices aforesaid unless any of the Barons sue any Man or be sued by any And that they shall not be Impleaded but where they ought and are wont to be viz. at Shepwey Shepwey And that for the rest of their Liberties and Acquitances they have them as well fully and honorably as they and their Predecessors had them heretofore by their Charters in the times of the Kings of England Edward William the First and the Second King Henry Our Great-Grandfather and of Henry Lord the King Our Father as those Charters which Our said Barons have from thence and which We have look'd upon do reasonably testifie And We forbid any one to disturb them or their Trading upon pain of the forfeiture of Ten pounds to Us provided that if the Barons be defective in doing and taking Justice that the Warden of the Cinque-Ports to Us and Our Heirs for the time being shall enter upon their Ports and Liberties upon default of the said Barons to do full Justice there Provided always that the said Barons and their Heirs shall pay to Us and Our Heirs the Kings of England every year the full Service of Fifty seven Ships at their own Cost
in the Twenty sixth year of Our Reign And we Ratifying the Grants and Confirmations aforesaid do grant and confirm them to be well pleasing to Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lyeth for the Barons aforesaid of the Cinque-Ports their Heirs and Successors for their good and faithful Service which they have hitherto paid to Us and shall pay for the future as the Chatters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably testifie And We further willing to do the said Barons a greater kindness have given and granted to them for Us and Our Heirs That although they have not hitherto enjoyed any one or more of their Liberties and Priviledges contained in the said Charters and Letters yet the said Barons their Heirs and Successors may use and enjoy their Liberties and Priviledges aforesaid and every of them without the let of Us or Our Heirs or Our Officers whatsoever Witness hereunto the Reverend Fathers William Bishop of Worcester J. Bishop of Bath and Wells and W. Bishop of Exeter Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester and Hereford John de Britann Earl of Richmond Adam de Valentia Earl of Pembroke Hugh de le Spencer Robert Son of Pagan Edmund de malo Lacu Steward of Our Houshld and others Given under Our Hand at Westminster the Twenty sixth day of July in the Seventh year of Our Reign We making Good the Grants and Confirmations aforesaid do Ratifie and by the Tenour of the Presents confirm them to be well pleasing to Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lies for the aforesaid Barons of the Cinque-Ports their Heirs and Successors for the good and faithful Service hitherto paid to Us and Our Progenitors and for the future to be paid to Us and Our Heirs as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably testifie And further willing to do to the aforesaid Barons a greater kindness We have granted for Us and Our Heirs to the same Barons of the Cinque-Ports That although they or their Predecessors hitherto have not fully enjoyed any one or more of their Liberties and Acquitances contained in the Charters and Letters aforesaid yet the said Barons their Heirs and Successors may fully enjoy for ever make use of their Liberties and Acquitances aforesaid without any let or impediment of Us Our Heirs or any of Our Officers whatsoever The Witnesses hereunto are the Reverend Fathers S. Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellor J. Bishop of Bath and Wells Our Treasurer Lionel Duke of Clarence John Duke of Lancaster Edmund Earl of Kent Our most dear Sons Edward de le Spencer Guydo Brian John Atley Steward of Our Houshold and others Given under Our Hand at Westminster the First day of July in the Thirty eighth Year of Our Reign We have also look'd upon the Letters-Patents of the same Our Grandfather after these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting We have look'd upon Our Charter of Confirmation which We lately made to the Barons of Our Cinque-Ports under the Seal which We then used after these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting We have look'd upon Our Charter of Confirmation which we lately made under the Seal which We then used to the Barons of Our Cinque-Ports after these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Letters-Patents which the Lord Edward of famous Memory late King of England Our Grandfather made according to these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting We considering that the Navy of the Cinque-Ports cannot be sustained without great Costs and Charges left the Navy for the future should fail or decay We have granted for Us and Our Heirs That all the Members of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid and other Advocants and Resiants whatsoever in the Liberties of the same do contribute viz. every of them according to their abilities for the doing the Service with their Ships to Us and Our Heirs whenever by Us or Our Heirs they shall be commanded thereunto In Witness whereof we have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at St. Albans the 28 day of April in the 26 Year of Our Reign And we Ratifying the Grant aforesaid do grant and confirm it to be well pleasing to Us and Our Heirs as the aforesaid Letters do reasonably testifie And because about those general words contained in the Letters aforesaid viz. that every one contribute according to his Abilities there have risen in former times divers dissentions That the Barons of the Ports aforesaid may the more commodiously pay their aforesaid Service to Us and Our Heirs at fit times We have given and granted by the Advice of Our Prelates Earls and Barons and the Commons of Our Realm assembled together in Our present Parliament to the said Barons of the Cinque-Ports that all the Members of the said Ports and all Advocants and Resiants whatsoever in the Liberties of the same contribute to the Navy and Service aforesaid to be kept and maintained out of all their Goods and Chattels as well those that are without the Liberty of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports as within and may be compelled thereunto by the Mayors and Jurats of the Ports aforesaid and also if need be by the Constable of Our Castle of Dover The Goods of Advocants and Barons of the Cinque-Ports not to be taxed with the Goods of Foreigners And that the Goods and Chattels of the said Barons and others as well without the said Liberties as within which are taxed for the maintenance of the Navy and performing that Service be by no means taxed for Tallage and other Tributes with the Goods and Chattels of Foreigners In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Twenty fifth day of February in the First year of Our Reign And We thought fit to have a Copy of Our Charter aforesaid under the Seal which We now use to be transcrib'd according to their request In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at York the Twenty sixth day of February in the Second year of Our Reign And We Ratifying the Grants and Confirmations aforesaid as well pleasing for Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lyeth do grant and confirm to the aforesaid Barons of the Cinque-Ports their Heirs and Successors the Barons of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid for their good and faithful Service to Us and Our Progenitors hitherto paid and for the future to be paid to Us and Our Heirs their Liberties as the Charters
and Successors be for ever free from all manner of Tenths Fifteenths and other such like Tributes and Tallages although they themselves or any of them be Agents in such Grants And We have further granted for Us and Our Heirs to the aforesaid Barons and Honest Men that none of them their Heirs and Successors shall for the future be put in any Assizes Juries Recognizances Attaints or other Inquisitions whatsoever without the Ports and Members aforesaid although they concern Us or Our Heirs And that none of them be made an Assessor Taxer or Collector of Tenths Fifteenths or any parcel of them or other Subsidies Tallages Taxes or small Summs whatsoever which are or shall be granted to Us or Our Heirs Nor be Collector of the reasonable Aid for the creating the Eldest Son of Us or Our Heirs a Knight or for the Marrying the Eldest Son of Us or Our Heirs Nor shall any of them be chosen or appointed Constable Bailiff or other Officer and Servant to Us or Our Heirs without the Ports and Members aforesaid against his Will And in case that any of the aforesaid Barons Honest Men or their Heirs and Successors be for the future chosen ordained or appointed to undergo and perform the trouble of any of the Offices or Employments aforesaid or to undergo perform or take any other Office against the force tenour and efficacy of this our present Grant although he shall refuse to undergo perform or take upon him those Offices or Troubles yet he shall in no wise upon that account incur any Fine Contempt Forfeit loss or damage upon his Body or Goods but that Our present Letters shewed upon Record by him before any Justices and Officers whosoever to Us and Our Heirs in whatsoever place through Our whole Kingdom of England shall upon that declaration remain in their force and virtue and by that shall be allowed to do the same without any Writ or Process to be thence further prosecuted And that whensoever there shall happen any Examinations to be made before Our Constable of Our Castle of Dover or before the Warden of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid or Admiral of the fame such Inquisitions shall be had taken and done within that Port or Member of the Ports and Members aforesaid where they of the respective Ports and Members by whom these Inquisitions shall be taken do live and dwell and no where else And that they who are mentioned and Empannelled in the Inquiries aforesaid shall no way be bound compelled or forced to go out of their respective Port or Member to any other place to take their Charge or deliver their Verdict Nor shall they nor any of them any way upon that account incur any contempt amerciament penalty forfeiture or any loss to Us or Our Heirs Wherefore We Will and strictly Command for Us and Our Heirs Wherefore We Will. that the aforesaid Barons and Honest Men of the Ports aforesaid their Heirs and Successors have all and singular the Liberties and Acquitances aforesaid and all the Premises by Us renewed to them and every of them and that for the future without any impediment of Us or Our Heirs Without impediment or Our Officers whosoever they for ever use and enjoy them Witness hereunto the Reverend Prelate Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England Our most Dear Brothers George Duke of Clare and Richard Duke of Glocester the Reverend Priors George Bishop of Exon Our Chancellor of England and Thomas Bishop of London Richard Earl of Warwick and John Earl of Northumberland Our most dear Cosins as also Our Trusty and Well-beloved Mr. Robert Stillington Keeper of Our Privy-Seal and Walter Blunt Knt. Our Treasurer of England and others Given under Our Hand at Westminster the Twenty third day of March in the Fifth year of Our Reign But We Ratifying and likeing the Charters and Letters aforesaid and all and singular the things contained in them do accept and approve of them for Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lieth and by the Tenor of these Presents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-beloved Barons and Honest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and Members of the same and to their Heirs and Successors as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably Testifie In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Thirteenth day of December in the Third year of Our Reign But We Ratifying and likeing well the Charters and Letters aforesaid and all and singular the things contained in them do accept and approve of them for Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lieth and by the Tenor of these Presents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-beloved Barons and Honest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and their Members and to their Heirs and Successors as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably Testifie In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Fifth day of March in the first year of Our Reign But We Ratifying and likeing well the Charters and Letters aforesaid and all and singular the things contained in them do accept and approve of them for Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lieth and by the Tenor of these Presents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-beloved Barons and Honest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and their Members and to their Heirs and Successors as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably Testifie In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Twentieth day of November in the Second year of Our Reign But We Ratifying and likeing well the Charters and Letters aforesaid and all and singular the things contained in them do accept and approve of them for Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lieth and by the Tenor of these Presents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-beloved Barons and Honest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and their Members and to their Heirs and Successors as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably Testifie In Witness whereof we have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Twenty seventh day of October in the First year of Our Reign But We Ratifying and likeing well the Charters and Letters aforesaid and all and singular the things contained in them do accept and approve of them for Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lieth and by the Tenor of these Presents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-beloved Barons and Honest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and their Members and to their Heirs and Successors as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably Testifie In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Eigth day of March in the First year of Our Reign We have also looked upon the Letters Patents of the said Lady Elizabeth
late Queen about the Grants to the Barons of the said Cinque-Ports and Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and Members of the same Ports and Towns and every of them and to their Successors the Barons of the said Cinque-Ports Towns and Members made after these words Elizabeth by the Grace of God We have look'd upon the Charters of Eliz. about Fifteenths Queen of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Treasurer Chancellor and Barons of Our Exchequer for the time being and to all other the Officers Ministers and Subjects of Us Our Heirs and Successors for the time being or which hereafter shall be to whom it shall or may appertain and to every of them Greeting Whereas it appeareth unto Us by one Record remaining in Our Exchequer amongst the Records of the Term of Easter in the Sixth year of the Reign of Our most Dear Grandfather King Henry the Seventh That John Convers of Winchelsea and William Warwyn of Dover Combons of the five Ports did come before the Barons of the same Exchequer the Seventh day of May in that same Term of Easter in their proper Persons and did exhibite to the said Court there a certain Letter of Attorney Sealed with the Common Seal of the Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons of the five Ports and directed to the Treasurer and Barons of the same Exchequer the Tenor whereof followeth in these words To the Right Mighty and Noble Lord John Dynham Knt. Lord Dynham High Treasurer of England and to the full Honourable the Barons of our Sovereign Lord the Kings Exchequer at Westminster that now be We the Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons of the Towns and Ports of Hasting Winchelsea Rye Romney Heth Dover and Sandwich at our Brotheryield-General at the said Town and Port of Romney the day of the Date hereof Holden Assembled that is to say William Nepsham Bayliff of Hasting Richard Martham Mayor of Winchelsea John Cheeseman Mayor of Rye John Cheynew Jurate of Romney Thomas Walton Jurate of Heth Edward Hextal Mayor of Dover and Thomas Aldy Mayor of Sandwich which send due Recommendations in all humblewise as appertaineth And whereas it hath pleased our Sovereign Lord by the Advice of his Council is Agreed that the Sustentation-Subsidy and maintenance of our Navy to do our old Service to our Sovereign Lord the King and to his Heirs Kings of England That at every whole Fifteenth and Tenth hereafter by the Commons of this His Realm to Him and to His Heirs to be granted the Collectors of the same and every of them within the Counties of Kent and Sussex from thenceforth shall have deduction in their Accompts betwixt them by the Certificate of the said Barons so that they exceed not the Sum of Five hundred Pounds Sterling for the Allowance of all Resiants and Advocants of their Allowance of all such Fifteens as from thenceforth shall be granted to our said Sovereign Lord the King and to His Heirs Kings of England and from thenceforth to be gathered and that his Highness willeth in that behalf that we nor our Heirs shall not in any wise exceed the Sum of Five hundred Pounds and that we should thereupon be bound by Recognizance before His said Barons in His said Exchequer at Westminster to the accomplishment of the same We the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons certifie by these Presents that we the day of the making hereof have given full Power and Authority to our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Brethren and Combons Mr. John Convers of the said Town of Winchelsea and William Warwyn of the said Town of Dover our true and lawful Attorneys joyntly and severally in that behalf by the Advice of Learned Councel to bind us to our said Sovereign Lord the King and to His Heirs Kings of England by Recognizance in the said Kings Exchequer before the said Barons in all due and convenient Form and Sum reasonable after the said Wisdoms and Discretions of the said High-Treasurer and the said Barons for the accomplishment of the Premises that is to say That we nor our Heirs shall not from henceforth exceed the said Sum of Five hundred Pound In Witness whereof we the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons the Seal of our said Brotheryield used and accustomed to thesâ— Presents have put at the saâ— Town and Port of Romney th 12th day of April in the Sixth yea of the Reign of our said Sovereign Lord King Henry the Seventh Whereupon the said John Convers and William Warwyn being then present in the said Court in their proper Persons and admitted there by the Barons to be the Attorneys of the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons of the aforesaid Ports to execute and do in all things according to the Tenor of the said Letter And the said John and William taking upon them the same did acknowledge the same Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons to owe to Our said Grandfather One thousand Pound Sterling to be paid to Our said Grandfather in the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist then next coming And except they did perform it the said John and William in the stead and Name of the same Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons did grant that Our Grandfather should cause to be levied the said Money of the Lands and Tenements of the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons whereof they or any others or any other that were seized and of their Goods and Chattels to whose hand soever they should come and made that this Recognizance was under such Condition That if the Collectors of the Fifteenths and Tenths to Our said Grandfather then or to His Heirs Kings of England in the Counties of Kent and Sussex and elsewhere within this Realm of England from henceforth to be granted should not have Deductions in their Accompts to Our said Grandfather of such whole Fifteenth and Tenth to be yielded by the Certificates of the Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons or their Successors from thenceforth to be above the Sum of 500 l. And if the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons their Heirs and Successors by their Certificates to such Collectors in the said Counties of Kent and Sussex and elsewhere within this Realm of England of and for such whole Fifteenth and Tenth for the same Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons and the Resiants and Advocants of the said Ports to be made and directed should not exceed the Sum of 500 l. at every such Fifteenth and Tenth thenceforth to be granted that then the said Recognizance should be void otherwise it should remain in his strength and effect as by the said Record remaining in the Custody of Our Remembrancer in Our Exchequer more at large appeareth And whereas further it appeareth unto Us by Letters under the Privy Seal of Our said most dear Grandfather King Henry the Seventh directed to Mr. Treasurer and the Barons of his Exchequer bearing Date at Westminster the Three and Twentieth day of June in the Ninth
be under the Seals of any of the Members of the said Cinque-Ports and Towns or any of them And if the said Bills or Billets do or shall at any time hereafter of or for any Fifteenth amount above the said Sum of 500 l. then for Us Our Heirs and Successors We Will and Charge the said Treasurer Chancellor and Barons of the same Exchequer and every of them from time to time to allow to the said Collector and Collectors of Us Our Heirs and Successors for the time being for the said Barons of the said Cinque-Ports and Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and their Successors and for them and every of their Members and the Resiants of the said Ports Towns and Members and the Advocants of the said Ports and Towns the said Sum of 500 l. and no more And then for Us Our Heirs and Successors We Will and Command that the said Treasurer Chancellor and Barons of the Exchequer of Us Our Heirs and Successors for the time being make as hasty Process as lawfully as may be made against the said Barons of the said Cinque-Ports and of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and their Successors for the levying of the said 1000 Marks by them to Us Our Heirs or Successors to be forfeited for their exceeding the said Sum of 500 l. contrary to their said Recognizance And further for Us Our Heirs and Successors We do Will and Charge all and every Collector and Collectors of Us Our Heirs and Successors of every Fifteenth to Us granted or hereafter to Us Our Heirs or Successors to be granted that they and every of them do receive of the said Barons of the Cinque-Ports and of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and their Successors for them their and every of their Members and the Resiants of the said Ports Towns and Members and the Advocants of the said Ports and Towns all and every such Bills and Billets as have been or hereafter shall be tendred unto the said Collector or Collectors or any of them according to the purport and true meaning of these Presents And moreover for Us Our Heirs and Successors of Our meer grace and certain knowledge We do grant to the said Barons of the said Cinque-Ports and Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and of the Members of the said Ports and Towns and their Successors that neither they nor their Successors nor any of them nor the Resiants of them or any of them nor the Advocants of the said Ports and Towns or any of them or their Successors at any time hereafter by Us Our Heirs or Successors or by the Treasurer Chancellor or Barons of the said Exchequer of Us Our Heirs or Successors or by any Collectors or other Officers or Ministers of Us Our Heirs or Successors shall be distreined impeached impleaded or molested in any thing contrary to the Tenor and Purport of these Presents although express mention of the true yearly value or certainty of the Premises or of any of them or of any other Gifts or Grants by Us or any of Our Progenitors to the aforesaid Barons of the said Cinque Ports or of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and their Members heretofore made in these Presents is not made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision or Restraint to the contrary made ordained or provided or any other thing cause or matter to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Six and twentieth day of January in the Three and fortieth year of Our Reign We have also looked upon the Letters Patents of Our most Dear Grandfather Lord James late King of England made according to these Words James by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting c. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Thirtieth day of January in the Second Year of Our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the Thirty eight We have also looked upon the Letters Patents of Our most Dear Father Lord Charles late King of England of Blessed Memory made after these Words Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting c. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Sixteenth day of June in the Tenth Year of Our Reign Whereas Our Town and Port of Hasting in our County of Sussex and Our Town and Port of New-Romney alias Romene of Heeth Dover and Sandwich in Our County of Kent are and from the time of the contrary of which being never known to have been were always the Cinque-Ports of Us and Our Progenitors the Kings and Queens of England And whereas also Our Towns of Rye and Winchelsea in Our said County of Sussex are and from the whole time aforesaid have been Antient Towns and within the Liberties of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid And whereas also the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey and the Town of Seaford in the County of Sussex aforesaid and the Towns and Places called Bulver-Heath Little Iham and Hidney in the County of Sussex aforesaid and the Towns or Places called Beckesbourne and Graunge alias Grenche in the County of Kent aforesaid are and have been ever since the time aforenamed Members of the said Town and Port of Hasting And the Town of Bromhill in the aforesaid Counties of Sussex and Kent and the Town of Lydd and Old-Romney in the County of Kent aforesaid and that other Towns or Places called Denge-Marsh Oswardstone alias Oswelstone in the County of Kent aforesaid are and have been ever since the time aforenamed Members of the said Town and Port of New-Romney alias Romene and also the Town of Westheeth in the County of Kent aforesaid is and hath been ever since the time aforesaid a Member of the same Town and Port of Heeth and also the Towns of Folkstone and Feversham in the County of Kent aforesaid and the Towns and Places called Margate St. Johns Goresend Brichington-Wood alias Wood-Church and St. Peters in the Isle of Thannet in the County of Kent aforesaid and Kingsdown and Ringwolde in the County of Kent aforesaid are and have been ever since the time aforesaid Members of the forenamed Town and Port of Dover and also the Towns or Places of Fordwich Deal Walmer Ramsgate and Stomer in the aforesaid County of Kent and Sarr in the Isle of Thannet in the said County of Kent and Brightlingsey in the County of Essex are and have been from the whole time aforesaid Members of the said Town and Port of Sandwich as also the Town and Hundred of Tenderden in the aforesaid County of Kent is a Member
of the Antient Town of Rye And whereas also the Barons and Inhabitants of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports Antient Towns and Members of the same and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Hasting aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of New-Romney aforesaid in the said County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Heeth aforesaid in the said County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Dover aforesaid and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Sandwich aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Antient Town of Rye aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Ancient Town of Winchelsea aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town of Seaford aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town of Lydd aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town of Folkstone aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town of Feversham aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town of Fordwich aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Hundred of Tenderden aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors have had held and enjoyed and as yet have hold and enjoy divers Liberties Franchises Priviledges Jurisdictions Acquitances and Freedoms in time past as well upon the account of the Letters Patents aforesaid above recited and several other Charters and Letters Patents by other Our Predecessors the Kings and Queens of England to them and their Predecessors heretofore respectively given granted and cofirmed as upon the account of divers Prescriptions and Customs used and accustomed in the same Ports Towns and Members respectively We considering that the Barons of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid and the Barons of the Antient Towns of Rye and Winchelsea aforesaid and of the Members of the same Ports and Antient Towns have from time to time throughly performed and paid great Services with their Navy to very many of Our Progenitors and Predecessors the Kings and Queens of England to their great cost and to the great honour and profit of Our Progenitors and Our Kingdom aforesaid And gratiously and piously considering that the said Cinque-Ports Antient Towns and the Members of the same Ports and Towns are continually liable to the Injuries Wrongs Piracies and sudden Oppressions of Our Enemies As also willing and greatly desiring that the Navy of the Ports aforesaid and of the Antient Towns aforesaid and of the Members of the same Ports and Antient Towns should not perish or decay which cannot without great Charges and Expences be kept maintained or furnished but that it may be found fitter and in better readiness to serve Us Our Heirs and Successors And that the Cinque-Ports and Antient Towns and the Members of the same Ports and Antient Towns by the frequent recourse and increase of Inhabitants may be made the stronger and better able to defend themselves and the Neighbouring Country And also Consideration being had of the most pleasing and acceptable Service which the Barons of the Cinque-Ports and of the Antient Towns aforesaid have performed and paid to Us at Our Inauguration to the Crown of this Our Kingdom of England according as in times past they did and were bound to do to Our Progenitors the Kings and Queens of England at their respective Coronation the time of the contrary being never remembred to have been and are still bound to do to Our Heirs and Successors the Kings of England at their Coronation according to their Honour and Priviledge And We have looked upon the several Letters Patents as well of Our Famous Predecessor aforesaid the Lady Elizabeth late Queen of England as of Our most Dear Grandfather aforesaid and Our most Dear Father abovementioned and all and singular the things respectively contained and specified in the same As also all and singular the other Gifts Grants Charters Confirmations and Letters Patents whatsoever made by one or more of Our Ancestors or Predecessors the Kings or Queens of England to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports and to their Heirs and the Inhabitants of the Cinque-Ports or other Advocants of the Liberties of the same and to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports their Heirs and Successors and to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports and of the Members of the same and to the Barons and Honest-Men of the Cinque-Ports and of the Members of the same and to the Mayor Bailiffs and Jurats of the Cinque-Ports and Members of the same and to the Mayor and Jurats Bailiffs and Jurats or Jurats of the Cinque-Ports and Members of the same and every of them and of any Port or Member aforesaid And to the Baron of the Town and Port of Hasting and to the Bailiff Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Hasting and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Hasting and to the Baron of the Town and Port of New-Romney and to the Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of New-Romney and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of New-Romney and to the Baron of the Town and Port of Heeth and to the Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Heeth and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Heeth and to the Baron of the Town and Port of Dover and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Dover and to the Baron of the Town and Port of Sandwiâ—h and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Sandwich and to the Baron of the Antient Town of Rye and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Antient Town of Rye and to the Baron of the Antient Town of Winchelsea and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Antient Town of Winchelsea and to the Baron of the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey and to the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey and to the Baron of the Town of Seaford and to the Bayliff and Commons of the Town of Seaford and to the Baron of the Town of Lydd and to the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town of Lydd and to the Baron of the Town of Folkstone and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town