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
for fifteen days at the Summons of Us or Our Heirs We have likewise granted to them of Our special Grace Utfangtheff that they may have Utfangtheff in their Lands within the Ports aforesaid like as Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Earls and Barons have in their respective Mannors in the County of Kent And that they shall not be Impannel'd upon Assizes Not be Impannel'd upon Assizes or Juries or any Recognizances by reason of their Foreign Tenure against their Will And that of their own Wines in which they Traffick they shall be quit from Our Right-Price Right-Price of Wine viz. of one Pipe of Wine before the Mast and another behind the Mast And we have further granted to the said Barons for Us and Our Heirs that they shall have this Liberty for ever viz. that We or Our Heirs shall not have the Guardianship or Giving in Marriage their Heirs upon the account of their Lands which they hold within the Liberties and Ports aforesaid for which they pay their aforesaid Service and for which We or Our Predecessors had not the Guardianship Giving in Mariage and giving in Marriage in times past But the aforesaid Confirmation of the Liberties and Acquaitances aforesaid and other Grants following We of Our special Grace have caus'd to be renew'd to them Provided always in all things there be nothing prejudicial to his Majesties Dignity to Us and to Our Heirs or hurtful to the Priviledges of Our Crown Life and Members Wherefore We Will and firmly Command for Us and Our Heirs that the Barons aforesaid for ever enjoy all their Liberties and Acquitances aforesaid according as the Charters aforesaid do reasonably testifie And that of Our special Grace they may have Utfangtheff in their respective Lands within the Ports aforesaid Utfangtheff after the same manner as Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Earls and Barons have in their respective Mannors in the County of Kent And that they shall not put in the Assizes Juries or any Recognizances upon the account of their Forreign Tenure against their Will And that in their own Wines in which they Traffick they shall be quit from Our Right-Price viz. of one Pipe of Wine before the Mast and another behind the Mast And that in like manner they may for ever enjoy the Liberty aforesaid viz. That We or Our Heirs shall not have the Guardianship or Giving in Marriage their Heirs upon the account of their Lands which they hold within the Liberties and Ports aforesaid for which they pay their aforesaid Service and for which We or Our Predecessors had the Guardianship or Giving in Marriage in times past But the aforesaid Confirmation of the Liberties and Acquitances aforesaid and other Our Grants following We of Our special Grace have caus'd to be renew'd to them Provided always in all things there be nothing prejudicial to his Majesties Dignity to US and to Our Heirs or hurtful to the Priviledges of Our Crown Life and Members as aforesaid Witnesses hereunto being the Reverend Father Robert Portunensis Bishop Cardinal of the Holy See of Rome Frier William de South Provincial Prior of the Fryer Preachers in England William de Valentia our Uncle Roger de Mortuo Mari Roger de Clifford Mr. Walter Stamell Dean of Salisbury Mr. Robert Scarborough Arch-Deacon of the East-Ridings Mr. Robert Sexton Bartholomew de Southley Thomas de Wayland Walter de Hopton Thomas de Normannel Stephen de Pencestre Francis de Bonona John de Levetot John de Metingham and others Given under Our Hand at Westminster the Seventeenth day of June in the Sixth Year of Our Reign This Charter before the Signing thereof was by the Kings command openly read in the pâ—esence of the abovenamed Witnesses and others of Our Council then present and was heard examined and agreed upon in the form above-written We have also look'd upon the Letters-Patents which the same Our Father made to the Barons aforesaid after these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To all Bailiffs and faithful Subjects to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting Know ye that for the faithful Service which Our Trusty and Well-beloved Barons and other Our Honest Men of the Cinque-Ports have hitherto paid to Us and Our Progenitors the former Kings of England and shall pay for the future We have granted to them for Us and Our Heirs that they and their Heirs the Barons of the said Ports shall for the future be ever free from all Tallages From all Tallages and Subsidies to be paid to Us and Our Heirs out of the whole or any part of their own proper Ships We have also granted to the same Barons and Men for us and Our Heirs That concerning the lawful things and Commodities which they in due manner shall buy within Our Dominion of Ireland Commodities in Ireland no one may be their Partners in those Things and Commodities nor partake with them in any wise against the Will of the same Barons and Men. We have further granted for Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lyeth to the Barons and Trusty Persons aforesaid That all and every of them born within the aforesaid Cinque-Ports although they have Lands or Tenements without the Liberties of the said Ports which are held by such a Service as the Giving in Marriage upon the account of their being under Age Giving in Marriage which belongs to Us and Our Heirs according to the Law and Custom of Our Realm Nevertheless according to the Liberty of the Ports they may Marry themselves without the let or impediment of Us or Our Heirs for ever any Right to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And therefore we charge you and every of you that ye molest not or disturb the Barons and Persons aforesaid in any thing contrary to these Our Grants In witness whereof we have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at St. Albans the Twenty eighth day of April in the Twenty sixth year of Our Reign We have also look'd upon some other Letters-Patents which Our said Father granted to the above-named Barons 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 Taking into consideration that the Navy of Our Cinque-Ports cannot be maintained without great Charge and Expences left the said Navy should fail or decay for the future We have granted for Us and Our Heirs That all the Members of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid and all other Advocants whatsoever that are willing to enjoy the Liberties of the same do contribute viz. every one according to his abilities to do Service to Us and Our Heirs with their Navy whensoever they shall be commanded by Us and Our Heirs In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at St. Albans the Twenty eigth day of April
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